A 24-year-old Brazilian doctor, Carolina Pimentel Canales from Albuquerquedied in a fire that occurred on Sunday night (29) at the Ember Hotel, in Bangkok, Thailand. Two other people, an American and a Ukrainian, also lost their lives, and seven were injured. The case was confirmed by Thai authorities, who are still investigating the causes of the accident.
The fire started at around 9pm (local time) on the fifth floor of the hotel, a six-story building located in the Khao San region, known for being popular with backpackers. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt reported that 75 people were there at the time of the incident, and 34 needed to be rescued from the roof.
Thai police are investigating whether the fire started due to a short circuit or a cigarette accident, while the Fire Department reported that the fire alarm was activated but the smoke spread quickly, making evacuation difficult.
In a statement to the local press, the governor ordered inspections of fire escape routes in hotels and entertainment venues in the city to ensure the safety of tourists. “We need to generate trust and take care of tourists,” he said.
Tragedy after engagement
Carolina, born in Alagoas, was traveling through Thailand with her fiancé, Fernando Resurreição, who survived the fire. According to reports, the couple tried to flee together, but thick smoke separated them. Carolina was found dead by firefighters.
Days before the tragedy, Carolina had been proposed to and used social media to share moments from the trip. In her last post, hours before the fire, she wrote about the gastronomic experience: “The last Pad Thai. Until next time.”
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The Alagoas Doctors Union lamented the loss in an official statement: “It is with deep regret that we announce the death of doctor Carolina Canales, victim of smoke inhalation during the fire at the Ember Hotel”. Carolina was the daughter and granddaughter of doctors.
