If you were in charge

Today's lesson is based on two short news stories. The first appeared immediately after an evening event and was published before all the information could be known. The second story, the next day, told more details. Together the stories illustrate an important aspect of a newspaper. That is, that most stories continue over several days. You can build your understanding of the story and some related vocabulary by reading every day.

Step 1: Read the first story about a fire in the Baiyoke Tower . Then think of as many questions as you can, using the first story only.

Step 2: After you have made a list of many questions, read the second story. Are all your questions answered? Are some unanswered? Share these with us in the ESL Monkeys Student Forum.

Here are some other questions to answer:

1. What people may have been involved in starting the fire?
2. What problem situations were discovered as a result of the fire?
3. What other possible, but not proven, problems are suggested in the story?

Finally, suppose you are the public officials in charge of building safety. Make a list of rules that must be followed to prevent another fire which might cause more damage and loss of life?

OUR STORIES FROM THE BANGKOK POST

Small fire empties Baiyoke One tower

Police evacuated people from the 43-storey Baiyoke One tower in Pratu Nam after smoke engulfed the first floor last night.

Firefighters said dense smoke stopped them getting more than seven metres into the building. The smoke was reported around 9.30pm but no source of fire was identified as of press time.

Clothing vendors occupy the first four floors. The fifth floor is the lobby of Baiyoke Suite hotel and a restaurant sits on the top floor.

Police said a few people were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation. No other casualties were reported.

Sprinkler system had been closed down

Apiradee Treerutkuarkul

The safety systems of Baiyoke One tower need to be improved, city officials said following a fire on the first floor of the 43-storey building on Monday night.

Building control division chief Wallop Suwansunthorn said although the fire did not damage the building's structure, its safety standards needed to improve because a fire exit had been changed into a storage room.

The fire, believed to have started at garment booth number 105, caused damage to the ceiling, pillars and posts. It also spread to other booths before firefighters brought it under control 45 minutes later. Mr Wallop said city hall would examine the sprinkler system because it had not activated during the fire. They would also investigate whether the automatic system was rendered inoperable due to building modifications.

It is believed vendors accidentally closed down the sprinkler system with wooden boards. But the cause of the fire has still to be pinpointed.

Mr Wallop said the building owner would face charges of violating the Building Control Act if it was established the vending area had been modified.

Ratchathewi district office chief Sukhonta Kittikhunpairote said officials would thoroughly inspect the building and any modifications made to the residential area. The building owner has been told to repair the damage. Vendors outside the damaged area would be allowed to reopen for business.