Fire closes Mahboonkrong mall

By BangkokPost.com, TNA

MBK Center, a popular shopping complex next to Siam Square in the Bangkok city centre, closed Saturday afternoon for a cleanup after a successful public evacuation caused by a fire in a 7th floor restaurant.

The blaze apparently occurred in a Japanese restaurant on the seventh floor of the eight-storey, 2000-shop complex, adjoining Tokyu Department Store and the Pathumwan Princess Hotel, neither of which were affected by the fire.

Police initially believed the fire resulted from an electrical short circuit.

Shoppers as well as vendors were ordered to exit the building after the blaze was extinguished, but free-standing exhaust fans were installed to blow out smoke from the crowded premises as the complex has no windows for ventilation purposes, police said.

Cleaners were seen sweeping the seventh floor after firefighters contained the blaze.

No casualties were reported in the accident.

MBK is a popular shopping paradise among Thais and international tourists, especially known for mobile telephones and related electronics.

Previous story (from Breaking News):

Fire breaks out at MBK mall

(BangkokPost.com) - Fire broke out at the internationally popular MBK (Mahboonkrong) Center on Saturday afternoon, causing thick smoke in the heart of Bangkok.

Shoppers were being evacuated from the shopping centre.

According to police, initial reports said the fire began at the Daidomon restaurant, which offers food grilled at the table, on the seventh floor of the shopping centre.

Ten fire trucks already arrived at the scene to control the fire. Traffic was getting heavy.

MBK Center, aka Mahboonkong, is a major shopping destination for both Thais and foreign tourists. Its first four floors are packed with mostly small shops selling a wide variety of goods such as clothes and electronics, often at low prices.

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Last Updated : Saturday April 21, 2007