Bangkok — Three foreign nationals, including an American, died and seven others were injured in a fire at a hotel in a popular tourist area of Bangkok, the Thai capital, city authorities said Monday. The Thai National Police said in a statement post on social media that a Brazilian woman died at the hotel and that two men, an American and a Ukrainian, were pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The cause of Sunday night’s fire at the Ember Hotel near Khao San Road, an area popular with backpackers and budget travelers, was still under investigation.
A State Department spokesperson in Washington confirmed to CBS News on Monday the death of a U.S. citizen in Bangkok and offered the U.S. government’s condolences to the family, but declined to provide further information for reasons of confidentiality.
Five other foreigners and two Thai nationals were injured, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said Monday.
Sakchai Lalit/AP
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said firefighters arrived at the scene of the six-story hotel five minutes after being alerted and rescued some 75 people using three cranes. Sittipunt ordered the hotel closed and an investigation into the alarm system.
In July, a fire broke out in the bustling Chinatown district of Khao San Road, prompting city authorities to deploy 40 fire trucks to fight the blaze.
A month earlier, a fire ravaged pet stores near Bangkok’s famous Chatuchak market, killing many caged animals and destroying stalls.
Concerns have long been raised about Thailand’s lax approach to health and safety regulations, particularly at its myriad bars and hotels.
The kingdom expects 1.5 million foreign tourists in the new year, government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub told local media, as the capital prepares for a fireworks display on Tuesday evening.
City officials said Monday they would “stand ready” ahead of the celebrations.