ID :
38459
Thu, 01/01/2009 - 18:52
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https://oananews.org//node/38459
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Fire-hit nightclub area declared disaster zone; committee set up to help victims
Fire-hit nightclub area declared disaster zone; committee set up to help victims
BANGKOK, Jan 1 (TNA) - The area around the fire-gutted nightclub in a prime Bangkok entertainment venue was declared a disaster zone Thursday after the inferno, killing 59 New Year revellers and wounding 243 people, and concerned officials are probing whether its owner violated the building code.
Director-General Anucha Mokhaves of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said his department had ordered officials in Bangkok and upcountry to become more stringent, especially regarding the safety of customers, at entertainment places.
Mr. Anucha said his department had declared the Santika Club area a disaster zone and urgent help would be given to the victims.
Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said while inspecting the charred building of Santika Club in Ekamai Soi 9, a popular nightlife zone, where the fire erupted at around 0.30am that he would order Justice permanent secretary Kittipong Kittiyarak on Monday to set up a special committee to probe on the accident for the sake of fairness to relatives of fire victims and the owner.
Information obtained during the inspection will also be used to determine whether the owner violated the city's building code, Mr. Pirapan said, adding that he was puzzled why the burned nightclub had only one exit and was equipped with iron-grilled windows, making it difficult for people inside the building to escape in case of fire.
The large number of casualties was blamed on there being only one apparent exit, making it difficult for New Year revellers who had just finished the countdown to the New Year to escape when the blaze broke out above them. Many of them died because of the stampede.
Mr. Pirapan said he had spoken with Chantra Purnariksha, secretary-general of Office of the Insurance Commission, who was inspecting the disaster site that concerned officials in future certify that building owners have insured buildings in accordance with the law while fire protection equipment must be installed inside in order to prevent a similar incident from occurring in future.
Mrs. Chantra said it was still unknown who was the real owner of the nightclub building because the ownership changed hands several times in the past.
It was not known which insurance company the building was insured under, she said. (TNA)
BANGKOK, Jan 1 (TNA) - The area around the fire-gutted nightclub in a prime Bangkok entertainment venue was declared a disaster zone Thursday after the inferno, killing 59 New Year revellers and wounding 243 people, and concerned officials are probing whether its owner violated the building code.
Director-General Anucha Mokhaves of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said his department had ordered officials in Bangkok and upcountry to become more stringent, especially regarding the safety of customers, at entertainment places.
Mr. Anucha said his department had declared the Santika Club area a disaster zone and urgent help would be given to the victims.
Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said while inspecting the charred building of Santika Club in Ekamai Soi 9, a popular nightlife zone, where the fire erupted at around 0.30am that he would order Justice permanent secretary Kittipong Kittiyarak on Monday to set up a special committee to probe on the accident for the sake of fairness to relatives of fire victims and the owner.
Information obtained during the inspection will also be used to determine whether the owner violated the city's building code, Mr. Pirapan said, adding that he was puzzled why the burned nightclub had only one exit and was equipped with iron-grilled windows, making it difficult for people inside the building to escape in case of fire.
The large number of casualties was blamed on there being only one apparent exit, making it difficult for New Year revellers who had just finished the countdown to the New Year to escape when the blaze broke out above them. Many of them died because of the stampede.
Mr. Pirapan said he had spoken with Chantra Purnariksha, secretary-general of Office of the Insurance Commission, who was inspecting the disaster site that concerned officials in future certify that building owners have insured buildings in accordance with the law while fire protection equipment must be installed inside in order to prevent a similar incident from occurring in future.
Mrs. Chantra said it was still unknown who was the real owner of the nightclub building because the ownership changed hands several times in the past.
It was not known which insurance company the building was insured under, she said. (TNA)
