Police investigate cause of fire in Chinatown area of Bangkok

Police are investigating the cause of a fire that ripped through buildings injuring dozens of residents in the Chinatown area of Bangkok, Thailand.

Firefighters and around 40 fire engines were deployed to the scene when the inferno erupted near the busy Yaowarat Road shortly after 8:30pm local time on July 6.

Officers said they are investigating the cause of the blaze, focusing on potential origins in specific houses. They said the findings are expected next week,

The fire started in a commercial property before it spread to the New Empire Hotel, prompting firefighters to evacuate guests using a fire engine's hydraulic hoist.

Thirty people were reportedly injured, mostly elderly locals suffering from smoke inhalation.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control by midnight. Officials said 264 victims residents for assistance after 66 households were burned down.

Anukul Peedkae, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, said on July 7 that most of the victims were migrant employees in the Yaowarat area.

Most were left homeless by the blaze and took shelter at local Buddhist temples including Wat Chai Chana Songkhram, Wat Samphanthawong, Wat Traimit, and Wat Traimit Wittayaram Worawihan School.

Some of them moved to their employers' properties. According to authorities, there were no reports of fatalities, but one person was reported missing.

Jom Rungsawang, a member of the Privy Council of Thailand, visited the community to present an aid package from the King and the Queen.

The Office of Police Forensic Science is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Police Colonel Wittawas Kengkum, superintendent of Phlapphla Chai 2 Police Station, stated that an aerial view of the scene had helped them identify the probable source of the fire.

However, they could not approach the area because the ruins were still smouldering and being hosed down.

They were focusing on a house about 50 metres from the alley entrance, which had burned to the ground. He said the electrical junction box in this house was of particular interest.