Workers fled as a fire ripped through an under-construction theatre in Thailand.

The panicked staff rushed onto the street when the blaze broke out at the six-storey building in resort town Pattaya on January 5.

Police arrived at the site at 1:30 pm local time, where they found thick black smoke billowing over the road as flames raged near a tower crane on the theatre rooftop.

Firefighters spent 10 minutes bringing the fire under control.

Police Lieutenant Panachai Wannasri said: 'We have inspected the scene, taken photographs, and will question the workers to determine the true cause of the fire before proceeding with the investigation.'

Construction foreman Khetsophon Simachai, 46, said the project was a six-storey theatre and the fire broke out on the rooftop.

He said: 'The fire on the rooftop was caused by welding sparks igniting thermal insulation foam, causing the flames to spread rapidly. The workers attempted to extinguish the fire with chemical fire extinguishers but were unsuccessful.'

Fires in Thailand are commonly caused by ageing electrical infrastructure, extensive use of wood in construction, and regional heat waves that can exacerbate fire risks.

Rapid fire response can also be hampered in densely packed neighbourhoods where narrow streets can delay firefighting efforts.