Witnesses recall how a deadly inferno erupted at a 'maze-like' bar in Bangkok

Witnesses recall how a deadly inferno erupted at a 'maze-like' bar in BangkokImage source, EPAImage caption, The tragic blaze on Monday has reinforced calls for authorities to strengthen fire safety standardsByPanisa Aemocha, Reporting fromBangkok, Paweena Ninbut, Reporting fromBangkok and Kelly Ng, Reporting fromSingaporePublished11 minutes agoThai indie band Thotsakan was performing at a packed bar in Bangkok on Sunday when band manager Ice Athipat Wijarn, seated off stage, saw smoke emerging from behind the keyboardist.The keyboardist, Kwang, shouted for people to flee - and within seconds a fierce blaze tore through Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, in the city's vibrant Chatuchak district.Ice recalls fumbling with the door in the smoke-engulfed room as he tried to escape. Then something exploded, throwing him out of the bar.The blaze killed at least 27 people and left dozens more injured, authorities confirmed on Monday.Kwang, along with Thotsakan's female singer Breeze and drummer Bew, died after succumbing to their injuries, according to a Facebook post from another band member, Patchara Songphatkaew. The whereabouts of Din, a male singer, is still unclear. "Maybe a miracle will happen," Patchara wrote. "Let's pray things turn out well."Thotsakan's lead singer Tik Chaichana managed to escape unscathed only because he went to the washroom moments before the fire broke out, Thai media reported. Videos online showed him sobbing as he ran out of the burning bar."I'm safe, thank you everyone for your concern. But my phone and all my belongings burned... My mind is truly not okay right now," Tik wrote in a Facebook post.Image source, Bangkok Metropolitan AdministrationImage caption, Thotsakan was performing on stage when the fire broke out and quickly engulfed the barRong Beer Na Lat Phrao, like many bars and pubs along the same street, was popular with locals. At the time of writing only one foreigner, a Laoti...