Authorities Investigating CentralWorld Fire

BANGKOK, April 11 (TNA) – The police are investigating the cause of the fire at CentralWorld shopping complex yesterday, in which two were killed and 20 others injured. The police have cordoned off the area and forensic officials and experts will today check the building plan, structure, fire protection system to determine the cause of the blaze, said Deputy Commander of the Office of the Police Forensic Science, Pol.Maj.Gen. Thawatchai Mekprasertsuk. The black smoke was seen billowing out from the eighth floor but the fire could break out on the lower floor, he said. Pathumwan District Chief, Phinit Arayasinlapathorn said that it is initially believed that the fire might occur at an electrical wiring system room on B2 underground level. The blaze then spread to a smoke ventilation duct to the eight floor. He said the fire alarm and sprinkler system worked normally during the incident. Officials will later assess the safety of the building’s structure if it could be reopened. Witnesses will be invited for questioning. The fire started at around 5.40 p.m. on Wednesday. The black smoke billowed out from the eight floor of the shopping center, adjacent to Centara Grand Hotel on Rama I Road. Two persons died from jumping out of the building during the blaze. (TNA)