The death toll from a devastating fire that engulfed a music bar in Thailand's capital has climbed to 30, authorities announced Tuesday. The blaze at Rong Beer Na Ladprao bar in Bangkok’s Chatuchak area, which broke out late Sunday, also left 24 people in critical condition in hospitals, with dozens more treated and discharged.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt pledged stricter safety inspections for entertainment venues, as police launched a formal investigation into possible negligence and safety failures that may have contributed to the high casualty count. The incident has reignited concerns about fire safety standards in the city's popular nightspots.

Firefighters battled the inferno for approximately 30 minutes before bringing it under control. Investigators are examining whether the bar management adhered to all safety regulations. "We've set up a committee to investigate the truth, what should be improved and what rules should be changed," Governor Sittipunt stated at a press conference. "We will do more random checks."

The fire is suspected to have been triggered by an electrical short circuit in a ceiling air conditioner. The pub had undergone a safety inspection in April. Royal Thai Police chief Kittharath Punpetch revealed that while the single-story bar had four exits, police are scrutinizing whether two rear exits were blocked or unusable during the emergency.

Evidence gathered at the scene suggests significant obstacles to escape. One exit near the restrooms, where many victims were found, reportedly had a table obstructing the path. Another exit, located near the kitchen, displayed a damaged exit sign and a sliding door missing its handle, hindering its functionality. Police are also investigating the possibility that stored gas canisters in the kitchen may have exacerbated the blaze.

Adding to the timeline of the event, Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul shared an account from a musician performing at the bar. The musician reportedly observed smoke emanating from a circuit breaker near the stage just before the power failed. This was followed by an explosion and the rapid spread of thick smoke throughout the establishment.

Experts have pointed to potential causes related to the electrical systems. Lee Young Ju, a fire safety professor at South Korea’s Kyungil University, suggested that an electrical fault, potentially involving audio or lighting equipment or compromised wiring, could have initiated the fire, leading to its swift propagation across the ceiling.

On Tuesday, former patrons and members of the public gathered at the cordoned-off bar site, leaving flowers and messages of condolence, underscoring the community's grief and the tragic impact of the fire.