Relatives of Nonthaburi jail-fire victims to get compensation

Pracha also expressed condolences to the grieving families and said police would not neglect the case. It would be determined later whether the deaths were the result of neglect of duty, carelessness or uncontrollable factors, he added.
An investigation into the incident is underway after a committee was set up yesterday, said National Police chief Adul Saengsingkaew, who said those found responsible would be disciplined and prosecuted.
Asked about complaints by relatives that policemen had not done enough to release the detainees from the lock-up during the fire, Adul said: “We are waiting for the investigation results.”
He said preventive measures would be worked out and would become standard practice, while police officers on duty would be instructed to follow them and fire drills would be conducted. Asked whether the station chief would also be held responsible, Adul said it would be known soon.
A senior investigator, Pol Maj-General Piya Sontrakool, said it would take around 10 days for the probe to be completed. He said a police sergeant on duty was trying to help out the detainees but could not brave the heat and smoke in the room where the four were held. The unnamed sergeant suffered minor burns, Piya added.
National Human Rights Commissioner Parinya Sirisarakarn suggested that police learn from this tragic lesson and increase safety measures to protect detainees.
“There should be safety measures and cell improvements,” Parinya said, adding that the police officers who hold the cell keys should be authorised to release the suspects in the event of a fire or other emergency, without risk of being disciplined.
“But it should be done carefully to prevent suspects from starting fires in a bid to escape,” he warned.