Fire rips through Irish pub in Phuket red-light street

A fire tore through an Irish pub on a holiday island in Thailand.

The blaze reportedly ripped through the Dublin Irish Pub along the red-light strip Bangla Road, at around 7:45 am local time on Tuesday.

Firefighters rushed to the scene to extinguish the flames, which were said to have erupted from the Moulin Rouge cabaret club just above the pub.

Footage shows officers dousing the blaze as smoke wafted onto the street below.

Club owner Sergii Gudz, 43, said: 'Before the incident, I was at home when a friend called to tell me that my restaurant was on fire. I rushed to the scene and found firefighters already extinguishing the blaze inside. By the time I arrived, the fire was already under control.'

Police Lieutenant Colonel Somprasong Labaisaard of the Patong Police Station said: 'We have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire. The damage is being assessed and further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.'

The Dublin Irish Pub is an Irish-themed pub on Bangla Road offering live music, drinks, and traditional Irish fare like bangers and mash.

It is located below the Moulin Rouge club, where cabaret performances featuring 'high class entertainments with European and Russian girls' are held.

Fires in Thailand are commonly caused by aging electrical infrastructure, extensive use of wood in construction, and regional heat waves that can exacerbate fire risks.

Rapid fire response can also be hampered in densely packed neighbourhoods where narrow streets can delay firefighting efforts.