Massive Fire Engulfs Bangkok Pet Market, Hundreds of Animals Perish

Photo : AFP

Bangkok, Thailand: Early Tuesday morning, a devastating fire swept through pet shops adjacent to Bangkok's renowned Chatuchak market, causing widespread destruction and killing numerous caged animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and snakes. The blaze resulted in significant damage to over 100 stalls, according to police reports.

The fire is believed to have originated in the ornamental fish section of Srisomrat Market, which is situated next to the larger Chatuchak market. Police inspector Tivakorn Prongseng, who is leading the investigation, stated that the fire likely started around 4:00 am (2100 GMT).

Spreading rapidly, the flames engulfed more than 100 stalls, covering an area of approximately 1,300 square meters (14,000 square feet). Tivakorn reported that while no human casualties have been recorded, many caged animals were found dead in the aftermath of the blaze. The market is owned by the State Railway of Thailand.

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Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire by 6:00 am, and the exact cause is still under investigation. Local media outlets have reported the deaths of hundreds of pets, although Tivakorn emphasized that it is too early to provide an accurate count of the animals that perished.

In response to the disaster, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has established a presence at the scene to collect information from the affected shop owners. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited the site, urging the community to support the shop owners by offering to temporarily house any surviving animals.

The Chatuchak market, a tightly packed area known for selling a wide variety of goods ranging from antiques and electronics to dishware and food, has previously experienced fires. It is a major attraction for both tourists and locals. Conservation groups have often expressed concerns about the sale of live animals in the market, leading to periodic raids that have uncovered endangered species being sold illegally.

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issues surrounding the sale of live animals in such markets and underscores the need for improved safety measures to protect both human and animal lives.