Firefighters struggle to douse fire at chemical waste warehouse in Rayong
A chemical waste warehouse in Rayong caught fire, sending thick columns of black smoke into the sky on Monday morning.
Police said the warehouse, located in Bang Butr subdistrict, had caught fire at 9am and as of press time, firefighters were still struggling to control the blaze.
Locals say they have been hearing sporadic explosions since the fire broke out.
At around 10.45am, firefighters were only able to contain the blaze, but could not put it out even though 40 firemen and 11 fire trucks, seven shooting foam, were at work.
Five ambulances had also been dispatched to help out in case of injuries.
The Rayong pollution control office also had its officials measure the air quality in the subdistrict’s Moo 8 and Moo 11 villages for fear the air will be filled with burned chemical particles.
The air pollution level, so far, can be considered safe, the office said, though residents of Moo 8 village, where the warehouse is located, have been shifted to a temple temporarily.
