Hundreds of caged animals are killed in fire at Bangkok market

Hundreds of caged animals died Tuesday after a fire struck Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the most famous markets in Thailand’s capital.

BANGKOK — Hundreds of caged animals died Tuesday after a fire struck Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the most famous markets in Thailand’s capital.

A chicken rescued from the fire at Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok on June 11, 2024. Sakchai Lalit / APThe fire was reported early in the morning and quickly swept across more than 100 shops in the market’s pet section, according to the Bangkok government.

Officials said it took them about an hour to bring the fire under control. There are no reports of human casualties, but Thai media reports suggested that the fire killed several hundred animals, including puppies, fish, snakes, birds and rabbits, kept in cages and locked inside the shops.

A fire ripped through pet shops next to Bangkok’s famed Chatuchak Weekend Market early Tuesday.Chanakarn Laosarakham / AFP - Getty ImagesDead snakes lying in their containers after the fire.Chanakarn Laosarakham / AFP - Getty ImagesThe cause of the fire is being investigated, said Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who visited the scene after the fire was put out. Officials could be seen at the site in the morning, inspecting the charred shops or breaking metal gates to bring out animals that survived the fire.

Officials said they are still working on estimating the cost of damage, and that affected shop owners could register for compensation.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hundreds-caged-animals-are-killed-fire-bangkok-market-rcna156490

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