RAYONG -- A wastewater tank exploded and started a fire inside the factory of PTT Phenol Co in the Hemaraj Eastern Industrial Estate, Muang district, early on Monday.
Pol Lt Maitree Pakul, the duty officer at Map Ta Phut police station, said the incident occurred about 2.17am. A 537 cubic metre tank containing wastewater contaminated with hydrocarbon exploded and caught fire.
The fire spread quickly, sending a foul smell throughout the factory, which produces phenol and acetone.
Four fire engines were despatched to the scene, fighting the flames with foam and water.
The fire was brought under control two hours afterwards. Only one worker in the control room near the tank was affected, suffering chest pains. There were no other casualties.
Weerasak Chaengkarn, director of the Office of Map Ta Phut Industrial Estates, was at to the scene to direct the fire fighting.
The cause of the fire was being investigated. The damage was not yet reported.