More than 100 pet stalls were damaged at Bangkok’s famous Chatuchak Weekend Market.
A fire has killed hundreds, if not thousands, of caged animals at a famous market in Thailand.
The fire broke out in the pet section of Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market on Tuesday morning, the city government said.
The fire is believed to have started in the ornamental fish zone at Sri Somrat Market, adjacent to the larger Chatuchak, at around 4am (9pm GMT), according to Tivakorn Prongseng, a police inspector investigating the case.
More than 100 pet tents were damaged across about 1,300 square meters (14,000 square feet) before the flames were brought under control an hour later. There are no reports of human casualties.
A store owner named Meecha told online news channel Thaiger that she was woken up by the animals’ screams, according to the BBC.
“Suddenly, thick smoke filled the air, making it impossible to breathe,” said Meecha, who climbed out of a window to take cover.
Some shop owners live in the market, but it is not clear how many were there when the fire broke out, the BBC said.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and other officials were seen at the scene inspecting the charred shops. Metal gates were being torn down to remove animals that survived the fire.
Authorities said they are still working to estimate the cost of the damage and that affected store owners can register for compensation.
This is not the first fire to occur in the market. In 2013, at least 20 stores were destroyed in a fire in the fashion section.
Welfare and trafficking
The sprawling Chatuchak is a major tourist attraction but also a popular shopping destination for residents. It has hundreds of shops and stalls selling items ranging from food and drink to clothing, furniture, plants and books.
The pet zone has long been criticized for the poor conditions in which some of the animals are kept.
Wildlife organizations have also accused some sellers of involvement in the trafficking of rare and endangered species, such as turtles, tortoises and birds.
Thailand imposes strict sanctions on wildlife traffickers and regularly carries out raids aimed at cracking down on the illegal trade.
Under current legislation, offenders face a maximum penalty of four years in prison or a fine not exceeding 40,000 baht ($1,000).
However, conservationists say many traffickers avoid prison sentences because of their links to senior figures in the government or military.
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
