Ratchathewi Apartment owner told to demolish two illegally-built floors

The City Hall has ordered the owner of Ratchathewi Apartment building to demolish the 13th and 14th floors of the building after they were found to be illegally built.

The apartment was evacuated an declared off-limits as the electricity system was totally damaged following a fire on Tuesday (April 3) which killed three tenants and injured several other people.

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said he ordered the demolition of the two illegally-built floors after inspectors found out that the two floors were illegally added on the 12-floor apartment building.

He added that the apartment building was closed for use as inspectors are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.

Initial investigation suggests that the fire may start from the elevator shaft on the sixth floor.

Meanwhile, police have questioned about 200 witnesses, mostly tenants, to ascertain the cause of the fire.

Most of the tenants have been transferred to apartments in Bang Khun Nont, Phetchaburi and Nonthaburi by courtesy of the owner of the Ratchathewi Apartment.