Fire in Sukhumvit high-rise condominium

Fire in Sukhumvit high-rise condominium

A fire broke out at the 18th floor of the 30-storey luxury condominium Le Raffine on Sukhumvit Soi 24 on Wednesday afternoon, but was it brought under control and there were no serious injuries.

Five people were reported admitted to hospital with   breathing problems.  A Persian cat was also rescued from a room on the 21st floor.
Thong Lor police chief Pol Col Rathasak Raksalam said the fire started from an appartment in zone A on the 18th floor about 2.30pm when the occupant was away.
The fire spread to the 19th floor.
Firefighters first tried to spray water on the blaze from a hydraulic hoist but this was ineffective because it was difficult to reach the 18th and 19th floors.
They had to walk up through  the building to the base of the fire with hoses and extinguishers and used water from the swimming pool on the 24th floor to douse the fire.
The fire was brought under control about 4.20pm, about two horus after it began.  Damage had yet to be estimated.
After the fire broke out, police closed the narrow Sukhumvit Soi 24 to all vehicles to to allow fire engines to get  access.  The residents of lower floors, mostly foreigners, were evacuated to ground level.
People living on the 18th floor and up were told to move up to the top of the building to await airlift.  However,  the fire was put out quickly enough and did not spread beyond the 19th floor. No aerial evacuation was needed.
Heavy traffic congestion was reported on Sukhumvit road and in surrounding areas during the fikre.
Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit  and Klong Toey district director Amornrat Kritayanuwat quickly went to the  area after learning of the fire.
Mr Yongyuth said he was told that the fire warning and water sprinkler systems in the building failed to function.
He had ordered the Klong Toey district officials to check the building's safety system and find out if it was in a working condition.   If not, those found responsible would be punished, he added.