AT least four Britons were injured in a devastating New Year's Eve fire in a Bangkok nightclub that killed 59 people, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said today.
Thai officials said a number of foreigners were among the casualties of the blaze, which erupted shortly after midnight at the Santika Club.
More than 200 people were injured during the stampede to escape from the venue, which had only one exit for the public.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that we know of four Britons who have been injured."
She said consular staff in Thailand were helping Britons affected by the tragedy.
"They are trying to get to the bottom of how many British nationals have been involved, either injured or killed," she said.
One of the injured Britons described how the fire suddenly spread from a stage where a DJ and band were performing.
Steven Hall said some of the revellers appeared to think the flames were part of the show and hesitated to flee the club.
He told CNN: "I was just watching the show that was going on at the time. They had a DJ and a band.
"All of a sudden I saw flames billowing from the top of the stage, then along the ceiling.
"Then everybody converged towards the exit from the balconies, down the stairs area, and from the dancefloor. It was a bit like a stampede.
"It did take a few moments to realise what was going on, because it seemed as though it was part of the performance.
The building smolders after a fire broke out shortly after New Year's at Santika Pub in Bangkok. Picture: Chumsak Kanoknan/Getty Images
"But looking at the performers on stage, looking at the embers and what looked like sparks falling down onto the stage, they looked totally horrified.
"And you could feel the heat instantly came down from the ceiling.
"At the same time there were people rushing to get out, there were other people who seemed to be lacking a sense of urgency and didn't seem to realise what was going on."
Mr Hall said the speed with which the flames spread was "incredible".
The Briton's wife escaped the club ahead of him while he tried to help others.
"I tried first of all getting some people moving to get them out," he said.
"I was making my way towards the exit myself. There was somebody lying on the floor and I was dragging them out.
"The lights went out, and at that moment, my back started burning and I was breathing in hot air."
A 34-year-old British teacher is believed to have died in the fire, The Times reported.
The woman died trying to flee the flames, according to a friend who laid a bunch of white roses at the scene this morning.
The man, who only gave his name as Mark, told The Times: "I got a text message from a friend. Her parents already know."
The full article contains 490 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
