BANGKOK: -- MBK Center, a major shopping complex in Thailand's capital, closed Saturday afternoon for one day after a fire in a restaurant on an upper level, police said.
The blaze apparently occurred in a Japanese restaurant on the seventh floor of the eight-storey, 2000-shop complex, adjoining Tokyu Department Store and the Pathumwan Princess Hotel, neither of which were affected by the fire.
Police initially believed the fire resulted from an electrical short circuit.
Shoppers as well as vendors were ordered to exit the building after the blaze was extinguished, but free-standing exhaust fans were installed to blow out smoke from the crowded premises as the complex has no windows for ventilation purposes, police said.
Cleaners were seen sweeping the seventh floor after firefighters contained the blaze.
No casualties were reported in the accident.
MBK is popular shopping paradise among Thais and international tourists, especially known for mobile telephones and related electronics.
--TNA 2007-04-21
