gobbledonk Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 My link AN Australian has told of seeing "people running on fire" after a blaze broke out in a Thailand disco, killing four people believed to be tourists with two more people left in a critical condition. The fire ripped through the Tiger club, popular with foreign tourists, in Patong - Phuket's west coast tourist hub - after a lightning strike. "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. Darwin man Jaryd Kemp, 26, told the Northern Territory News: "It's been a crazy night like all nights are in Thailand, but things went bad when lightning hit power lines and transformer exploded five metres away from me causing sparks and blue flames shooting off it. "People on fire running out of the club like you would see in a movie," he said. "When I heard the reports of only four dead I couldn't believe that. "I'm safe just exhausted. Patong is my second home to Darwin and had to make sure all my friends were OK." 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 was 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horneytorney Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 ooooh...Tiger! would not be surprised if the number of dead people will increase during next couple of hours! it will also take days to identify the deads... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobbledonk Posted August 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 If I was so badly burnt as to be listed as 'critical', I would want to be in a specialised burns unit, not whatever passes for a hospital on Phuket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coss Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 If I was so badly burnt as to be listed as 'critical', I would want to be let go... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 If I were an Aussie, I wouldn't go anywhere near Phuket these days. Not a word about this in the Bangkok Post, but The Nation has it. Four die in Phuket disco blaze A blaze at a popular Phuket discotheque in Patong early Friday morning reportedly killed four tourists and injured many others. Police have yet to identify whether the dead two men and two women are Thais or foreign. Phuket Wan online reported the fire that broke out at 3.55am, almost two hours after all bars and other venues in Patong are supposed to close, killing at least four people. The injured were sent to Patong Hospital for treatment. Firefighters fought the flames for about an hour before finally extinguishing the fire at the entertainment venue, which is in Katu district. Forensic police were able to enter the fire scene a short time ago to check the cause of the blaze. It is believed the bodies are still inside, the online news site reported. At Patong Hospital, authorities were unable to pinpoint precisely how many were injured in the fire, but a nurse did say that one man was critically burned and in danger. Four of those injured were French. All but two survivors were treated and released. Phuket Wan added that Patong is currently in the middle of an election campaign for mayor, with the incumbent, Pian Keesin, standing again and hoping to win on September 2. Meanwhile Kanyaporn Khanthong, told reporters that she and her friends were in the crowded discotheque at about 2.30am when somebody yelled out "fire". "However, nobody heeded the warning and continued enjoying the music and drinks. Shortly after that smoke was seen in the venue. Then, the ceiling bulbs fell to the ground," she said. She ran and tried to leave the premises but found herself stuck at the exit because of the crowds. "I was helped by foreign tourists and managed to escape," said Kanyaporn who was injured in the fire. Phuket Wan quoted the manager of the Tiger Discotheque, Tamrongsak Boonsak, as saying the fire broke out about 2am. "People heard two bangs and it was originally thought that these came from further down Soi Bangla. We will do what we can to help those who have been injured and to help the families of those who have died." He estimated damage at Bt100 million and said that investigating police would have full cooperation. My link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horneytorney Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 If I was so badly burnt as to be listed as 'critical', I would want to be in a specialised burns unit, not whatever passes for a hospital on Phuket. you are right! I have been in Patong hospital myself so I know what I am talking about! just a typical public hospital far away from the Bumrungrad, GBH or Samativej.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horneytorney Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 If I were an Aussie, I wouldn't go anywhere near Phuket these days. Not a word about this in the Bangkok Post, but The Nation has it. Bangkok Post also has it but NOT on page 1; TAT does not like such bad news that is pushing tourists away! TIT! http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/308028/four-dead-in-fire-at-thai-tourist-nightclub Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekong Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 From the Post Article Headline 4 Dead Three Singaporeans, one Japanese and a Myanmar national were among the dead, 3+1+1=5 when I went to school Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coss Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 Ahh but they've changed the schools in Thailand, mathematics must be used to minimize loss of face... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobbledonk Posted August 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 If I was so badly burnt as to be listed as 'critical', I would want to be let go... Rest assured, coss old mate, I'd tell them to turn the machines off long before it got to that. Please, your tears are thanks enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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