Stricter checks promised after Bangkok bar fire kills 30

Thai officials promised stricter fire-safety checks after a Bangkok bar fire killed 30 people, following eyewitness reports of smoke cutting off escape routes. Investigators said the blaze may have started near the stage, with a preliminary theory pointing to an electrical short circuit in an air-conditioning unit. Authorities said the bar has been cordoned off and families of victims and those hospitalized will receive compensation. The government said enforcement of existing rules will be strengthened, after past fires exposed weaknesses in compliance.