Pattaya hotel fire injures 4, guests relocated

A fire broke out Thursday night at the eight-storey Sunday JA Plus Hotel in Pattaya, Thailand, injuring four people and forcing hundreds of guests to evacuate. Authorities believe the blaze may have been caused by an electrical short circuit, though the investigation is still ongoing, reports the Bangkok Post.

The fire started on the hotel’s rooftop and spread smoke and flames to part of the seventh floor. At the time, around 240 guests were staying in approximately 120 of the hotel’s 173 rooms. Firefighters and rescue personnel from several local agencies, including Pattaya City and Nong Prue municipality, responded quickly and managed to control the blaze by 10:48 p.m.

Officials said the main damage was limited to the rooftop and sections of the seventh floor. Emergency crews searched the building afterward and confirmed that no one was trapped inside.

Four people were injured in the incident. Two Thai women and an Indonesian boy were treated for smoke inhalation, while a Thai man sustained injuries while escaping through the flames. All four were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Most guests escaped safely, although many were shaken by the incident. Those staying at the hotel included Thai, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, and Indonesian nationals. Authorities later arranged temporary accommodation for displaced guests at nearby hotels.

Due to safety concerns, officials temporarily shut down the hotel while police and fire investigators continued examining the cause of the fire.