Chachoengsao: The Pollution Control Department is monitoring vapors even though the fire at the thinner factory in Chachoengsao Province has been extinguished. The department is overseeing the situation at the thinner manufacturing plant in Ban Pho District, where the fire has been controlled. They are focusing on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within a 500-meter radius and coordinating with local agencies to assess environmental impacts and ensure public safety.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, has been closely observing the fire situation at Cargo Chemical Co., Ltd.'s thinner plant. He has directed the Pollution Control Department (PCD) to thoroughly monitor and analyze the environmental impact, collaborate with relevant agencies, and alert the public in the vicinity.
Mr. Surin Worakitthamrong, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department, stated that the department has been consistently monitoring the fire situation. Ms. Chatpra-orn Niyom, Governor of Chachoengsao Province, is also involved in monitoring efforts, along with the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation team.
The fire resulted in damage to two warehouses without any reported injuries or fatalities. However, nearby communities experienced smoke and heat effects due to strong winds, which were exacerbated by the explosion of chemical tanks. Rescue operations led to the evacuation of residents, including bedridden patients, to safer locations upwind, where community health volunteers monitored them.
The firefighting operation involved more than 30 fire trucks and chemical foam firefighting units from the Chao Phraya Surasak Municipality and the Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization. The fire was fully controlled by 11:00 PM on March 6th, but the odor of paint thinner persisted. An investigation is ongoing to determine the fire's cause and assess the damage.
Investigations showed that the factory had a previous fire incident approximately two years ago, which was less severe. This marks the second fire at the location.
Following inquiries with surrounding communities, particularly those downwind to the east, which include fish ponds and agricultural areas, officials detected no chemical vapor odors in the area as of 12:00 PM. Meanwhile, the Chachoengsao Provincial and Ban Pho District Disaster Prevention and Mitigation teams have established an incident command center in front of the company to continuously address the situation and extinguish any smoldering fires. They are utilizing foam and aerial platforms to spray foam across the factory area where chemical tanks may be present to prevent re-ignition.
The Pollution Control Department has designated a monitoring zone within a 500-meter radius around the incident site to detect VOCs that may disperse during hot daytime hours. They are collaborating with the Chachoengsao Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment to monitor the situation and advise the Thep Rat Subdistrict Administrative Organization on managing firefighting wastewater to avoid environmental impacts in the area.