Hundreds of caged animals died after fire this morning in the pet trade, some of which are illegally traded, the largest stall from Bangkok, Chatuchakwhich attracts thousands of tourists and visitors every day.

According to public television Thai PBSThe fire happened around 4 a.m. Tuesday and firefighters It took them about an hour to extinguish the fire..

According to eyewitnesses, the fire allegedly started due to the fact that one of the stores, one of a hundred in which animals in cages for sale, he left fan on overnight to cool the room and the appliance. bursts when overheatedindicates the above environment.

No employees were injured, and since it happened during closing hours, there were no visitors at the market either.

Deputy Director of the Bangkok Disaster Management Department, Suriyachai Ravivanstated that the fire started in a tropical fish market and then spread to the surrounding area, and that among dead animals There is hundreds of petsincluding birds, dogs and cats, as well as chickens and snakes that could not escape to safety because they were in cages.

The photographs show the remains of dozens of snakes, turtles And chickens collected in boxes after the incident while firefighters investigate the objects.

Suriyachai added that Store roofs may collapse and that police will continue to investigate what happened, adds Thai PBS.

In turn, the governor of the Thai capital Chadchart Sittipuntnoted in a statement published on its social networks that, according to a preliminary check, 1300 square meters damaged. and “many pets,” without specifying how many,”died“, while calling for speeding up “help” for the victims.

Authorities in the affected area and the company responsible for market security contacted EFE and declined to comment on the incident.

Closing Requests

WITH 15,000 positions and shops and some 200,000 visitors per weekChatuchak market is presented as the world’s largest outdooras stated on its website, and is considered one of the regular tourist spots in the Thai capital.

The space features sales points categorized by product category, which includes everything from souvenirs, clothing from independent designers, furniture and even illegal animals in the fire zone.

The event once again raises concerns about security measures. safety And welfare belonging animals in these markets, which have also been criticized on health and regulatory grounds, with some being sold at high prices due to their “exotic” nature.

In this sense, Vice President PETA , Jason Bakerin a statement on Tuesday called for “the closure of the pet market in Chatuchak, where a large number of exploited animals suffer. “Today’s tragedy underscores the urgent need for action.”

Fund Friends of Wildlife (WFFT) in a statement deplored the “approximately 1,000 animal deaths, including exotic species such as swans, cockatoos and monkeys.”

“Chatuchak Market is shame on Bangkok. He was allowed unethical sale of animals and often illegally and for too long. “We call on the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to act immediately and stop the sale of animals, especially wild animals,” he added.