BANGKOK • A fire at a shopping centre in Bangkok killed three people and injured at least eight, said police yesterday, adding that firefighters had brought the blaze under control.

The Central World shopping mall at Bangkok's busy Ratchaprasong intersection was evacuated, said operator Central Pattana.

Flames and smoke from the blaze at a document storage room on the eighth floor of the mall were visible from a distance, prompting many people to dash to the mall's carpark in a panic to get their cars out.

Pathum Wan Police Station was alerted to the fire at about 5.50pm local time (6.50pm Singapore time), but police officers, firefighters and water trucks found it difficult to get to the site due to heavy traffic.

The Central World shopping mall is situated in Bangkok's business district and are always crowded. The incident worsened the already heavy traffic at the intersection, which was also packed with bystanders.

Mr Pinit Arayasilapathorn, director of Pathum Wan district, said in a TV interview that the fire was brought under control quickly, but a staff member terrified by the blaze jumped out of the window and died.

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said one person died at the scene, while two others were pronounced dead at a hospital. Two other employees suffered injuries.

Police said the cause of the fire was not known yet.

The shopping mall was temporarily closed, said operator Central Pattana.

THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK, REUTERS

Three killed in blaze at Bangkok's Central World complex

A blaze on the eighth floor of the Central World shopping mall in Bangkok yesterday left three people dead and at least eight others injured. The maill is situated in one of the city's busiest districts and is often packed with tourists.

Correction note: This story has been edited to reflect that the fire took place at the mall and not the nearby hotel.