Bangkok hotel did not have an 'adequate' sprinkler system

In the wake of a recent deadly hotel fire, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will complete the inspection of all big buildings in the capital by year end. -- PHOTO: THE NATION

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has already set up 50 teams to look into the lack of sprinker system issue and is planning to hire certified inspection firms to help as well.

On Thursday night, a blaze erupted inside the banquet hall of Grand Park Avenue Hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 22, causing one death and hospitalising more than 20 others, most of whom were foreign hotel guests. All of the victims have suffered from smoke inhalation, and at press time, at least one had slipped into a coma.

Ongoing investigation suggests that an inadequate sprinkler system might have been responsible for the blaze not being brought under control soon enough. Firemen and volunteers spent more than half an hour to put out the fire.

'There were no sprinklers where the fire broke out, though there are sprinklers in other areas. So, we suspect that the affected area might have been modified from the original plan,' Deputy Bangkok Governor Thirachon Manomaipiboon said.