Blaze Rips Through Night Club in Phuket

Four tourists killed and two critical after fire in Tiger nightclub on Thai resort island of Phuket



FOUR people, believed to be foreign tourists, have been killed and two remain in a critical condition after fire broke out in a popular nightclub on the Thai resort island of Phuket.

"There are four confirmed dead. We believe they are foreign tourists, but it's not yet confirmed,'' Phuket deputy governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada told AFP by telephone today.

"The fire was caused by lightning, which struck a transformer and the fire spread throughout the place,'' he added.

It took more than an hour for firemen to get the blaze under control.

"We received more than 20 people who sustained injuries from the Tiger pub fire. Most are suffering from suffocation," a hospital worker told ABC..



"Two are in critical condition from severe burns. One of them is a French man who suffered burns on his torso.
"The four dead bodies were burnt beyond recognition. We cannot identify even their gender."

The fire broke out early today at the late-night Tiger disco in the town of Patong, a magnet for foreign tourists on the southern island , almost two hours after all bars and other venues in Patong are meant to close.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it's saddened by the news.

"The Australian embassy in Bangkok and the Australian Honorary Consul in Phuket are urgently liaising with local authorities to determine whether any Australians are affected,'' a DFAT spokesperson said.



"Thai authorities are yet to advise us on the nationalities of those affected."

This morning's blaze ripped through the premises at the back of the Tiger complex, exposing beams along about 30 metres of the structure, Phuket Wan Tourism News reported.

A large crowd of onlookers was held back as ambulances backed down the laneway to pick up the bodies in the club., which is on the corner with Soi Bangla.

If anyone is concerned about someone being in Patong area of Phuket, there is a 24 Hour Consular Emergency Centre: Call 1300 555 135 within Australia (local call cost) or +61 2 6261 3305 from outside Australia.


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I wonder how they know the deceased are definitely tourists if they can't identify them (unless, of course, only tourists can access the club.)
Horrible stuff.

[Brendiggg]

Yeah. I think it's an educated guess that the casualties were foreign.

Lax safety standards are not the kind of thing a traveler forsees and, on the other hand, it would totally ruin the experience if paranoia ruled. It's important to understand the risks in advance.

Whatever the case, it's fucked up that Asian nightclubs burn down all too often, not because safety rules aren't there, but they aren't enforced.