Bang phli: A fire broke out at a chemical tank at the old Mingti Co., Ltd. in Bang Phli. The suspected cause is burglary and theft of metal parts. This morning, a fire erupted at the Mingti Chemical Co., Ltd. factory in Soi King Kaew 21, King Kaew Road, Rachathewa Subdistrict, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province. The factory, which is currently closed and abandoned, was the site of a blaze that was quickly responded to by firefighters from the Rachathewa and Bang Phli Yai Subdistrict Administrative Organizations. They managed to control the fire, which produced significant flames and black smoke from debris and foam pellets under two large, old chemical tanks, within approximately 20 minutes. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.

According to Thai News Agency, initial investigations have indicated that the fire was not due to old chemicals within the tanks. Instead, it appears that foam pellets and plastic materials were ignited, potentially by individuals illegally entering the premises to steal metal, inadvertently causing a spark.

The incident affected surrounding communities with smoke and foul odors, though no structural damage has been reported. Authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the fire.

This site has a history of accidents, including a significant explosion and fire on July 5, 2021, which resulted in numerous injuries, the tragic death of a firefighter, and extensive damage to nearby homes. Given this history, residents are urging the company and relevant authorities to urgently improve security measures, restrict unauthorized access, and properly manage residual materials to avert future incidents.

The Environmental and Pollution Control Office Region 13 (EPCO 13) of the Pollution Control Department is actively monitoring the situation. Their findings suggest that illegal metal cutting within the premises could be the cause, and they plan to continue with the investigation.