ENTERTAINMENT

Owners of places of entertainment such as karaokes, nightclubs and restaurants can have a desire to create atmosphere, that can clash with the needs of fire protection. An additional feature can be materials of construction and decoration, with the use of polystyrene foam an example. Combinations of these can result in spectacular fires. We show some examples.

This fire site was a business that combines the worst of two eras. It was a former cinema, constructed largely of wood, at a time when building standards were lax. Then it was converted into a karaoke, with the risks associated with this type of business. The result was a devastating fire.

This fire site was a business that combines the worst of two eras. It was a former cinema, constructed largely of wood, at a time when building standards were lax. Then it was converted into a karaoke, with the risks associated with this type of business. The result was a devastating fire.

The corner lot had been converted into a bar and the fire started at Christmas decorations that including lighting, without any input from qualified electrical personnel. The fire started at a fluorescent light that had been wrapped with paper.

The corner lot had been converted into a bar and the fire started at Christmas decorations that including lighting, without any input from qualified electrical personnel. The fire started at a fluorescent light that had been wrapped with paper.

This was intended to be a restaurant, in Kuala Lumpur, with a thatched roof to confer authenticity. The roof caught fire from a welding spark in the final stages of construction.

This was intended to be a restaurant, in Kuala Lumpur, with a thatched roof to confer authenticity. The roof caught fire from a welding spark in the final stages of construction.

The decorations in this night club are made of polystyrene foam, covered on the outside with a thin layer of concrete. This style of decoration is common on the tourist island of Patong, Thailand.

The decorations in this night club are made of polystyrene foam, covered on the outside with a thin layer of concrete. This style of decoration is common on the tourist island of Patong, Thailand.

The polystyrene shapes frequently covered the facade of the building, forming a continuous layer of combustible material. This photograph shows what happens when there is a fire. The quick response by the fire brigade results in the unusual feature of partially burnt polystyrene foam.

The polystyrene shapes frequently covered the facade of the building, forming a continuous layer of combustible material. This photograph shows what happens when there is a fire. The quick response by the fire brigade results in the unusual feature of partially burnt polystyrene foam.

On the inside of the same nightclub, with the fire brigade having no access, the polystyrene is consumed by fire, with much destruction.

On the inside of the same nightclub, with the fire brigade having no access, the polystyrene is consumed by fire, with much destruction.