Video appears to show Thailand fire 'flashover' event, expert says

Video appears to show Thailand pub fire reached flashover 'point of no return', expert says Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 5:42am In short: A crowd and safety expert says a video of an explosive fire in Thailand, which killed 27 people, and injured 64, appears to show a flashover "point of no return". Local officials say the fire likely started at the front of the venue, which prevented the two doors from being used as exits onto the street. Investigations are still underway. Video of an explosive fire in Thailand that killed 27 people and injured 64 appears to show a flashover "point of no return" could have made evacuation nearly impossible, a crowd safety expert says. Warning: This article contains images some readers may find distressing. About 63 people were injured, with 22 in critical condition, after the huge fire engulfed the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in Bangkok on Monday, local time. The Office of Insurance Commission Deputy Secretary-General Adisorn Pipatworapong told the ABC: "The fire likely started from the front, which prevented the two front doors from being used as exits and forced people to run to the back instead." While investigations are still underway, officials have said obstructed emergency exits hindered patrons from escaping the burning venue. Crowd safety expert and associate professor at the University of Melbourne Milad Haghani analysed a video posted on social media showing an intense horizontal plume of fire jetting out of the doorway of the Bangkok pub as screaming customers fled the premises around midnight, local time. He said what could be seen was likely a "flashover" event caused by the sudden ignition of combustible materials in an enclosed area. "It's basically what they call 'the point of no return' in fire evacuation,"Dr Haghani said. "Everything catches on fire and goes up in flames at once as a result of the build-up of toxic gas." He said at that point, "evacuation and escape becomes near impossible." Out of control in 'a matter of minutes' The pub is located in a busy part of northern Bangkok connected by its urban rail systems, adjacent to two shopping malls and within walking distance of cinemas, large parks and the Chatuchak weekend market that is popular with foreign tourists. The initial assessment was that an electrical short circuit in an air conditioner located in the ceiling caused the fire. "There are two fire exits, one is near the kitchen. There were beer crates in the way," Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said. He added there was a table in the way of the other fire exit, hindering evacuation. "We need to wait for forensic investigators to examine the scene more closely," Mr Sittipunt said. Dr Haghani said it was difficult to tell how long the Bangkok fire had been going before it reached a flashover, but it could potentially have been "just a matter of minutes". "Judging by the footage and the intensity of the fire, it's likely the venue has got to flashover state very rapidly," he said. Dr Haghani said the internal materials and furniture inside pubs were highly flammable, and there was likely an abundance of alcohol at the location. "Usually, there are a lot of extra flammable materials such as foams in the ceiling for sound insulation." Dr Haghani said pubs and clubs were one of the most vulnerable environments to fire because they were small venues often tightly packed with a crowd with a very short period of time for evacuation. Many victims of the huge fire were reportedly found at the rest rooms at the back of the pub. Mr Haghani said the exits may not have been accessible, and people may have tried to take shelter in the bathrooms. An Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said "Australians will be shocked to hear of the terrible loss of life in the restaurant fire in Bangkok". "Australian officials are making urgent enquiries with local authorities to determine whether any Australians were affected," the department said. "We stand ready to provide consular assistance. Our sincere condolences are with all those affected." Reuters/ABC