27 dead in Bangkok bar fire as police probe blocked exits; two killed in Toronto festival shooting

At least 27 people were killed and 22 critically injured after a fire engulfed a bar in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district late on Sunday, as police investigate whether blocked exits and flammable materials contributed to the deadliest blaze in the Thai capital in years. Firefighters arrived just after midnight to find patrons running through flames to escape Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, with body-camera footage showing oxygen-masked crews picking through the darkened remains. Most victims were found in a bathroom where they had sought shelter, said Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of Bangkok’s disaster mitigation department. Nine men and 18 women died, mostly from smoke inhalation, according to authorities. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the scene early on Monday, said a musician who was performing told him “there was blasting and everybody tried to flee from the smoke and flames”. Survivors reported the ceiling – made of flammable foam material for sound absorption – caught fire, and police said beer crates may have blocked emergency exits. National police chief Kittiratt Phanphet said: “At this time, police have established negligence as the primary theory guiding their investigation.” Preliminary investigations suggest an electrical short circuit in a ceiling air conditioner may have sparked the blaze. “The smoke was everywhere,” said firefighter Chakrit Khongkom, 45. “Most of the survivors were choking on smoke.” Sukanya Wongwongwai, 32, waited outside for a missing friend after survivors described the chaos inside. In Toronto, at least two people were killed in an exchange of gunfire at the Salsa on St Clair Latin festival on Saturday evening. Police responded to reports of an active shooter at 20:12 local time and found six victims with gunshot wounds, two of whom were pronounced dead at the scene. Two firearms were recovered, and no arrests have been made. Deputy Police Chief Francisco Barredo described the scene as “very chaotic”, with an estimated 13,000 people present. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “horrified”, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the “senseless violence” and demanded the perpetrator be “caught, brought to justice and spend the rest of their life behind bars”. The festival, now in its 22nd year, was being held on St Clair Avenue in midtown Toronto. Authorities are managing three separate crime scenes and have urged witnesses to come forward.