Good Morning Britain was forced off air on Monday as Richard Madeley and Charlotte Hawkins broke the news of a devastating hotel fire in Bangkok, which left three tourists dead
Good Morning Britain took a heartbreaking turn as the hosts had to break some tragic news in the middle of the show.
During Monday’s episode (December 30), Richard Madeley and Charlotte Hawkins were going through the day’s top stories when they had to pass over to Marverine Cole in the studio for an urgent update. Marverine shared the devastating news that three foreign tourists had tragically lost their lives in a horrific fire at a backpacker hotel in Bangkok.
One victim was sadly declared dead at the scene, while two others tragically passed away after being rushed to hospital. Thai media reports suggested that the trio, including one woman, were overcome by smoke inhalation before losing their lives.
The fire erupted on the 5th floor of the Ember Hotel located on Bangkok’s bustling Khao San Road, a popular spot for travellers, just after 9pm local time. Firefighters managed to tame the flames by approximately 10:30pm, and authorities are now investigating the tragic incident.
At the time of the fire, 75 guests were inside the hotel; all were evacuated, with seven sustaining injuries, among them two Thais and five foreigners. Following the tragedy, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stressed the importance of safety, especially with New Year’s Eve countdown festivities looming, set to see fireworks and celebrations across the city.
A spokesperson for the fire service announced: “At 9.26 pm, fire crews arrived at the scene of the fire at a six-storey hotel building. The fire was on the fifth floor. There were two people trapped in a room. One was a male and the other a female. Hotel staff helped 40 people from the roof of the building and fire crews entered to extinguish the fire. Smoke was filling all of the top floors.”
Considered one of Bangkok’s liveliest spots, Khao San Road is a mecca for backpackers from around the world, bustling with activity every night. Nestled in the Banglamphu district near the Chao Phraya River, it’s a must-visit destination for travellers.
For budget-conscious wanderers, hotels on Khao San Road offer rooms starting at just 200 Thai baht (£4.68) per night.