Bangkok's Chatuchak Market fire kills 1,000 caged animals

A fire killed around 1,000 caged animals at Bangkok's Chatuchak weekend market, one of Southeast Asia's largest open-air markets.

The fire broke out early in the morning around 4:10 a.m. local time and ravaged more than 100 pet stores in the famous market, according to Bangkok authorities. Caged animals, including dogs, birds, cats and snakes, were reportedly burned alive in their cages.

No human casualties were reported following the fire.

Authorities said it took rescuers about an hour to bring the fire, which was believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, under control. While authorities are still assessing the financial damage caused by the fire, affected traders have been encouraged to register for compensation.

Chatuchak, like many markets in the Thai capital, is full of varied shops in its narrow streets. The tourist hotspot has more than 15,000 stalls across 26 sections, including antiques, food and clothing, and claims to attract 200,000 visitors at weekends.

The pet section of the market is open all week and has often been criticized for its treatment of animals. Tuesday's fire sparked further criticism from animal rights groups, including PETA.

“Animals are not ours for entertainment,” PETA senior vice president Jason Baker said Tuesday, the BBC reported. “PETA urges the Thai government to ensure that this facility, where captive animals suffer, never reopens. »

The Wildlife Friends Foundation (WFFT) in Thailand used the fire to expose illegal smuggling of rare and endangered species, a widespread practice among pet sellers in Chatuchak.

“Chatuchak Market is a disgrace to the city of Bangkok. “For far too long, the sale of animals has been permitted unethically and often illegally,” WFFT Director Edwin Wiek said in a statement. He added that the sale of exotic animals on the market “is immoral, cruel, constitutes a health and safety risk and is completely unnecessary”.