A major fire at a hotel in Thailand's Pattaya city sent hundreds of tourists fleeing in panic on Thursday night, as flames spread from a rooftop restaurant through the upper floors. The blaze erupted at the eight-storey AJ Plus Hotel shortly after 9pm local time, forcing the evacuation of approximately 240 guests.
Chaotic Evacuation
Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror as guests scrambled for exits while rescue teams searched the building floor by floor. Thick smoke rapidly engulfed the corridors, causing several guests to suffer from smoke inhalation. The guests included foreigners from India, China, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Injuries and Response
Four people were injured in the incident. Two Thai women and an Indonesian boy were treated for smoke inhalation, while a Thai man suffered burns to around 20 per cent of his body after reportedly running through flames to escape. All four were taken to nearby hospitals. Fire crews from Pattaya and Nong Prue municipality battled the blaze for over an hour, bringing it under control at approximately 10.48pm. Authorities confirmed no guests were trapped inside.
Cause Under Investigation
The fire originated in a rooftop restaurant that was not in use at the time. Preliminary investigations point to a possible electrical short circuit, though the exact cause remains under investigation by police and fire officials. Damage was concentrated to the rooftop and parts of the seventh floor.
Aftermath and Safety Measures
Officials ordered the temporary closure of the hotel over safety concerns. Structural inspections and further assessments are expected to continue. The displaced guests were moved to nearby hotels with coordinated temporary accommodation.
