"No one is allowed to enter the damaged areas," he said.

The fire started on Friday night and was not brought under control until dawn Saturday. One building collapsed Saturday morning as flames broke out again in some areas.

Apirak said that about two rai of the 6.25 rai market was destroyed, and 150 shop owners were affected.

The total cost of the damage has yet to be calculated.

There were no reports of any deaths, although three rescuers were injured while tackling the blaze. One fell from a building and needed surgery.

Vallop Suwandee, the deputy governor, said the areas would be left to cool down, after which engineers from the BMA's Public Works Department would inspect the area to determine whether damaged buildings should be demolished.

Apirak denied the accusations from shop owners that the BMA had dragged its feet in extinguishing the fire, as the BMA wanted to remove the shops from the areas. He said the area's narrow streets and the Padung Krung Kasem Canal prevented fire trucks getting close to the blaze.

"The burnt areas are not those that are in dispute with the BMA. The damaged area is in Pathumwan district, while the disputed area is in Pom Prab Sattrupai district," Apirak said.

The BMA has tried to remove stalls from the footpaths in Bo Bae market but the owners have refused.

Late last month there was a clash between the police and street vendors who blocked Lan Luang Road for hours.

Aree Wongsearaya, the Interior Minister, also visited the scene Saturday. He asked shop owners not rush to the conclusion that the fire was an act of arson. He said the cause of the blaze was under investigation. He said the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation had a Bt50 million interim relief fund to help those who lost their properties and livelihoods.

Shop owners and vendors gathered at the market yesterday to search for goods and valuables that might have survived the fire, but no one was allowed into the area.

The Nation