Deadly fire engulfs Thailand's Chatuchak market, kills over 1,000 exotic animals

Over 1,000 animals lost their lives in Thailand after a deadly blaze ripped through Bangkok's famous Chatuchak market early on Tuesday (June 11).

The fire engulfed nearly 118 shops as it ravaged around 1,300 square metres (13,993 square feet) of the Chatuchak Weekend Market.

The exotic animals including snakes, spiders and Siamese fighting fish were burnt to death in the incident, Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt told media.

The preliminary inspection suggested that the fire was caused by an electrical fault, said Police Superintendent Phuwadon Ounpho.

As per the authorities, no human casualties or injuries were reported in the blaze.

One of the shop owners said that they had received a call about spotting fire in the market at around 5 am but upon reaching they saw that their shop was engulfed in flames.

"Someone called my sister (Natthanicha) about the fire around 5 am but the fire had started around 4 am. When she arrived, the building was in flames,” said shop owner Adisak.

"The snakes were trapped in their enclosures, in their boxes. They were not able to escape," he added.

In the aftermath of the incident, firefighters and rescue workers, as per the news agency Reuters, were seen picking through carcasses and collapsed roofs of the shops.

"I have been in shock. I feel like I wanted to cry but there are no tears," 49-year-old Siamese fighting fish shop owner Suwannee Sangdee said.

"This has been my family's main source of income. Our main income, a considerable amount of it, in fact, will be gone. I have to try to keep myself sane and work out how I'm going to sort out my finances," he added.

With around 15,000 shops spread across 35 acres, Chatuchak is one of South East Asia's biggest markets.

It is famous among tourists for fashion, accessories and exotic animals. The market claims to draw approximately 200,000 tourists on the weekends.

The pet zone in the market has been long criticised for keeping animals in poor living conditions and reportedly has led to the spread of diseases.

The incident triggered renewed calls for authorities to shut down this zone.

(With inputs from agencies)