SAMUT PRAKAN -- A fire razed a plastic-recycling plant in Bang Phli district early Wednesday, forcing the evacuation of nearby residents and workers.
The fire broke out at Yian Hua Plastic Co on Soi Sunthornwipak, inside the Suwannabut industrial project in tambon Bang Phli, said Pol Capt Apiwat Kesorn, a duty officer at Bang Phli police station. The blaze was reported at around 1am today.
Authorities estimated damage at about 30 million baht.
More than 10 fire trucks were deployed. Flames spread quickly and loud explosions were heard. Firemen raced against time to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby factories. Nobody was inside at the time.
Neighbours moved their belongings as strong winds fanned flames. Firefighters took more than three hours to put out the fire, which damaged the factory and two pickup trucks.
Voraniphit Rangsee, 35, a guard at the Suwannabut industrial project, said he saw flames spreading at the back of the plastic-recycling plant while on patrol. He ran to the building and shouted to wake up workers in nearby facilities to help combat the flames.
Police believe an electrical short might have caused the fire. Forensic officers will be called in to confirm the cause.