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The fire broke out at the Rong Moo community opposite Klong Toei District Office at about 2.30am and flames quickly swept through the crowded shacks, with occasional explosions of cooking gas.

Residents hurriedly evacuated their families and saved what belongings they could. The narrow entrance to the area restricted firefighters and it took them over an hour to put out the blaze.

An initial inspection found that 50 homes had been burned down, leaving hundreds of people homeless.

Officials investigating the fire believe it started in a house belonging to Chaowalit Eum-aroon.

Tents were set up to provide temporary shelter for those affected while relief agencies were contacted to provide assistance.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin made a mid-morning visit to the community and instructed district officials to help victims. He said the fire was suspected to have begun at a house where the owner had left burning candles unattended.

He said that whether the destroyed homes could be rebuilt on the same spot would depend on the results of negotiations between the Port Authority of Thailand, the landowner, and community representatives.

The Nation