Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said during an inspection of the scene that he was afraid some of the buildings might collapse.

"No one is allowed to enter the damaged areas," he said.

The fire started on Friday night and was not brought under control until dawn yesterday. One building collapsed in the morning as flames broke out again in some areas.

Apirak said that about two rai of the 6.25 rai market was destroyed, and 300 shop owners were affected. The total cost of the damage has yet to be calculated.

No deaths were reported, although three rescuers were injured while tackling the blaze. One fell from a building and needed surgery.

Vallop Suwandee, the deputy governor, said the areas would be left to cool down, after which engineers from the BMA's Public Works Department would inspect the area to determine whether damaged buildings should be demolished.

He said that besides the buildings, 40 street stalls and 55 houses in the market were destroyed.

Apirak denied claims of shop owners that the BMA had dragged its feet in extinguishing the fire, as the BMA wanted to remove the shops from the areas. He said the area's narrow streets and the Padung Krung Kasem Canal prevented fire trucks getting close to the blaze.

"The burnt areas are not those that are in dispute with the BMA. The damaged area is in Pathum Wwan district, while the disputed area is in Pom Prab Sattrupai district," Apirak said.

Interior Minister Aree Wongsea-raya visited the scene and asked shop owners not to rush to the conclusion that the fire was an act of arson. He said the cause of the blaze was under investigation. He said the Depart-ment of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation had a Bt50-million relief fund to help those who lost their properties and livelihoods.