Four injured as fire guts Pattaya hotel rooftop bar

A fire broke out at a rooftop bar on the 7th floor of the JA Plus Hotel on Pattaya Third Road (Pattaya Sai 3) on Thursday night, injuring four people and prompting a major rescue operation.

Pattaya fire authorities were alerted to the blaze at 9.30pm and more than 10 fire engines and water tankers were rushed to the scene.

Upon arrival, firefighters found intense flames and thick smoke billowing from the rooftop. They used water hoses to contain the blaze, while rescue teams entered the hotel to search for stranded guests and staff.

Initial reports indicated that one person had suffered burns and had been rushed to a nearby hospital. Most people inside the building managed to evacuate safely during the initial chaos.

Pattaya City Mayor Poramet Ngampichet told Thai PBS at around 11pm that firefighters had successfully brought the blaze under control after fighting the flames for about an hour.

The mayor updated the casualty toll, confirming that four people had been injured and admitted to hospital, while over 240 guests had been safely evacuated.

"Firefighters and rescue workers are now conducting a room-by-room inspection of the hotel to ensure the absolute safety of all tourists and occupants," Poramet said.

The cause of the fire is thought to have been an electrical short circuit, but that, and the extent of the damage, are currently under investigation by forensic officers and other relevant authorities.