Thousands Of Pets Being Sold In Shops Die In Chatuchak Fire
Some of the animals that were reportedly crying in distress included dogs, cats, fish, monkeys, and birds.
By Tamara Jayne — 12 Jun 2024, 10:13 AM
A fire broke out in Chatuchak market in the early morning on Tuesday, 11 June, believed to have killed thousands of pet animals
The fire was reported to have started at 4.10am at the pet zone of the market, affecting 118 shops.
Bangkok Post reported that firefighters rushed to the scene and it took about 30 minutes to an hour to put out the blaze.
According to Thai media, vendors said they lost more than 1,000 animals, including rabbits, fish, dogs, cats, birds, monkeys, snakes, and chickens that were all trapped in cages
The animals were reportedly calling out in distress during the fire.
No people were injured during the incident.
A security guard at a bird shop informed the press that the fire erupted while she was overseeing rare birds on the mezzanine floor.
The Nation reported that the security guard heard the animals' cries but was struggling to breathe, prompting her to run outside.
Some of the birds that were killed included expensive cockatoos priced at 30,000 baht each (RM3,800).
Initial inspection suggests that the fire was caused by an electrical fault, police Superintendent Phuwadon Ounpho said, according to Reuters.
