A major fire broke out Friday night at Bangkok's Khlong Thom Center, a shopping complex packed with flammable goods. The blaze spread fast, triggered explosions, and gutted much of the three-story building, causing part of it to collapse.
Firefighters took over two hours to get it under control, but the fire flared up again around midnight. No deaths were reported, but 11 people were injured, incluidng one volunteer firefighter injured from smoke inhalation.
The 30-year-old building houses about 500 shops selling electronics, car audio, toys, and appliances. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited the scene and said no civilians were trapped, but the heat had caved in the roof and part of the structure, making further collapse likely.
By Saturday morning, white smoke was still rising as crews kept hosing down the site to prevent another rekindling. Traffic on Worachak Road has returned to normal.
Authorities warned nearby residents to close windows due to toxic smoke drifting across districts and to seek help if they have trouble breathing. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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