Fire at Le Raffine Condominium on Sukhumvit 24

[StrontiumDog]

Fire at Le Raffine Condominium on Sukhumvit 24

No news articles on this at present, but lots of tweets....

MCOT_Eng MCOT English News
Fire breaks out in condominium in downtown Bangkok's Sukhumvit 24; Firefighters trying to rescue trapped residents, traffic closed

SpringNews_TV
"4 injures sent to hospital. All of them are foreigners."

Photos...

yfrog Photo : http://yfrog.com/hsl39juj Shared by lindavanderwijk



[at]fm91trafficpro



UberSocial - thaicam - Soi 24 fire as viewed from BTS platform, 200m away. Street closed off.


Soi 24 fire as viewed from BTS platform, 200m away. Street closed off.

[Blake7]

I was walking down that street at about 1pm. Must have just missed it.

[StrontiumDog]

8td Thanyarat Doksone

#SpringNews #phonein DPM & Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said fire is under control (He's at the scene) (3.32pm)

Screen grab from Spring News coverage...

http://twitpic.com/67dzj6

[Nokturnal]

Looks to be about 12 floors up, Scary shite.. Those fire ladders only go up so far and then you're foked. Of the two condos we own both have at least two fire hoses on each floor, So if you're able a small fire could be snuffed rather easy.....Hopefully no deaths.

[StrontiumDog]

Bangkok Post : Sukhumvit condo on fire

Sukhumvit condo on fire

• Published: 17/08/2011 at 03:52 PM
• Online news:

A fire broke out at the 18th floor of luxury 20-storey condominium Le Raffine on Sukhumvit Soi 24 at about 2 pm, reports said.

The reports said the fire was spreading up to the top of the building.

Police had close the vehicular traffic in Sukhumvit Soi 24 to allow fire engines in with fire fighters.

The people living in the condominium were being evacuated to the ground.

People living from the 18th floor upward had been told to move up to the top of the building to wait for being airlifted by a helicopter.

Traffic congestion has built up on Sukhumvit road and surrounding areas.

[StrontiumDog]

Another new photo just tweeted...

Condo on fire on Sukhumvit 24 is La Raffine I believe...let&#... on Twitpic



Tulip_Oum Tulip Naksompop
Le Raffine Condo Fire progress fast b/c the sprinkler and fire alert system doesn't work, nearby Sukumwit and Rama4 rd is closed. #Ch.9

[StrontiumDog]

Tulip_Oum Tulip Naksompop

Fire dpt's cabin car at Le Raffine condo, fire started from room 18A is now contained. [at]Reporter_Js1 [at]js100radio

yfrog Photo : http://yfrog.com/kfddmztj Shared by Reporter_Js1

[aging one]

Each unit has a pool, so water would not have been a problem. Hope nobody was hurt.

[StrontiumDog]

Series of good photos here

Sukhumvit Soi 24 Fire - a set on Flickr

[Smug Farang Bore]

The noise woke me up.

[English Noodles]

The noise woke me up.

Lazy bastard.

[Albert Shagnasty]

25 million for that condo
and the sprinkler system doesn't work.

[david44]

Moins raffine plutot grille

[StrontiumDog]

Fire in Sukhumvit high-rise condominium | Pattaya today newspaper

Fire in Sukhumvit high-rise condominium


Posted by pattayatoday
on Aug 17th, 2011

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 hurt from difficult breathing and admitted to hospital. 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 crane 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.

[StrontiumDog]

Fire safety checks ordered after condo blaze

Fire safety checks ordered after condo blaze

By The Nation
Published on August 19, 2011


Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday instructed all district directors to check the safety standards and fireresponse plans of buildings across the capital after a blaze broke out at the luxury Le Raffine condominium on Wednesday.

The Khlong Toei District Office has sealed off the 18th floor of the building on Sukhumvit Soi 21 pending an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

"The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will set up a panel to inspect the condo structure and review the repair plan," said Pinit Lertudomthana, head of the building control division at the BMA's Public Works Department.

Representatives from the department, Engineering Institute of Thailand and the district office would sit on the committee, he said.

Amornrat Krittayanawat, director of Khlong Toei district, said the fire did not cause structural damage but gutted the insides of two units.

Deputy Governor Malinee Sukvejvorakij said an inspection showed the firesprinkler system at Le Raffine was in working condition but would not go off until the heat rose to 65 degrees Celsius.

"That's why it failed to control the flames from the very beginning," she said.

The owners of the burnt units had received temporary housing from the management of Le Raffine, she added.

[StrontiumDog]

Bangkok Post : Extinguishing bad habits key to fire safety in High-Rises

Extinguishing bad habits key to fire safety in High-Rises

Most blazes are avoidable, but it's essential to prepare for the worst _ and ensure building managers are doing the same

• Published: 11/09/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: Spectrum

Following the recent fire that broke out on the 18th floor of a 30-storey condominium building on Sukhumvit 24, fire safety in these buildings has become a major topic of discussion.


PREVENTABLE PERIL: Reports say that a fire at the La Raffine condominium complex on Sukhumvit 24 last month might have been caused by faulty fire-warning systems.

While no building is ever 100% safe from fire, the chances of a blaze such as this recent one occurring can be lessened drastically by taking the proper precautions.

Owners, residents, juristic people and property managers must plan to ensure that a development is safe from fire.

As part of these preventive measures, residents must understand the predominant causes of fires and work to prevent them. Apartment fires can often be traced to cooking/kitchen blazes, short circuits, heating elements such as stoves or water heaters, cigarettes or children playing with flammable substances.

To minimise losses and damagees from fires, building owner or juristic committees representing co-owners and building managers must ensure the building is prepared to fight fire.

First and foremost, they must ensure compliance with fire safety regulations. It is required by law that all buildings are inspected by a certified inspector.

Fire safety inspections cover all systems for fire protection and fighting such as fire escapes and stairs; fire exits and signage; exhaust fans and smoke dampers; emergency power backups; fireman's lifts; fire alarms; fire fighting equipment; fire pumps and fire hose reels; sprinklers; and lightning protection. They also cover safety management plans, including fire protection and fighting, fire drills, and safety and building inspections.

Results from the inspection will tell if any repairs or improvements to the fire safety systems are required. It is important that building owners work closely with their managers to ensure any necessary actions are taken.

Here are some guidelines to prevent and minimise losses and damages from fires at high-rise residential buildings:

PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY

- If you smoke, exercise caution by using large, deep and sturdy ashtrays.

- When you're finished smoking, soak the remainder before discarding.

- Check furniture and cushions for dropped matches and cigarettes.

- Never smoke in bed. Smokers must remember that alcohol and medications can make a person less alert.

- Keep matches and lighters high on a shelf or in a cupboard where children can't get at them.

- Never leave cooking food unattended.

- Do not overload electrical outlets. Use an approved power bar/electric receptacle for additional electrical cords.

- Do not store flammable liquids (eg petrol) or compressed gases (eg propane) in your building, car or storage space.

PREPARE YOURSELF

- Attend your building's annual fire drill, and make sure your family attends too. An apartment or high-rise fire is no cause for panic. If you plan ahead and practise fire drills, your chances of survival will increase substantially.

- Ensure your building has fire safety plans, including floor plans and evacuation procedures. Fire safety plans should be posted and visible. If they are not, contact the landlord or building manager. Take the time to review and learn your building's fire safety plan. Develop and practise your fire safety plan. Know the two quickest and safest ways out of your building.

- Learn to recognise the sound of the fire alarm, and leave the building immediately when you hear it. Never ignore the alarm, as fire may be present in any part of the building.

- Do not use balconies for storage. This can block a means of escape.

- It is recommended that every dwelling have a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. For maximum protection install a smoke alarm in every bedroom.

- Clean smoke alarms at least once every six months by gently vacuuming the exterior. Test smoke alarms at least once a year.

- Install portable fire extinguishers in your room for higher safety.

GET YOUR BUILDING PREPARED:

- Your building should be equipped with smoke detectors and fire alarms.

- Stairwell doors must be closed at all times to prevent the spread of fire, smoke and poisonous gases. Make sure your building is compliant.

ESCAPING FROM FIRE

- Get out quickly and safely.

- If an announcement can be heard over your building's public address system, listen carefully and follow directions.

- Check doors before opening them. Stay low behind the door, reach up and feel the door and the door handle for heat. If the door feels cool, brace yourself against it and open it slowly. If it is safe to do so, leave the building and go directly to your meeting place. If you encounter smoke, crawl low under the smoke. The air is more breathable nearer the floor.

- If the door feels warm, or if you see smoke or flames on the other side of the door, shut the door and stay in your apartment. Protect yourself by sealing the openings around the door and vents with bedding or towels. Call the fire department and notify them of your location. If there is no smoke outside a window, open it and signal for help. Never go to the roof as you may become trapped with no means of escape or protection.

- Never use lifts in a fire! Use the stairways and close all doors behind you to slow the spread of fire and smoke.

- Once you are out of the building go directly to your planned meeting place. Do not re-enter the building.

- In the event of a hotel fire, be sure to take your room key with you. You may encounter smoke and need to re-enter your room for safety.

While most of the above measures are common sense, buildings must be held to fire safety standards for the benefit and safety of the property and its residents.