Surin: An explosion at the Border Patrol Police Unit 21's weapons depot in Surin Phakdi Camp, Mueang District, has been attributed to accumulated heat, according to the Surin Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office. The incident, which occurred at approximately 7:30 PM, led to the deployment of foam and water trucks to control the blaze and prevent further eruptions. Surveys have reported damage to more than 10 nearby houses.

According to Thai News Agency, images captured the intense fire and loud explosions that engulfed the depot, prompting firefighters to engage in a four-hour battle to bring the situation under control by 11:30 PM. Families of Border Patrol Police were temporarily relocated, with some opting for accommodations outside the camp.

In the aftermath, authorities have maintained a cordon around the site to restrict access. The Surin Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office continues cooling operations in the area with foam and water tankers. Officials suspect the extreme heat over the past few days contributed to the explosion, prompting the Governor of Surin Province to plan a meeting aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.

The weapons depot, comprising six buildings, suffered varying degrees of damage. Two buildings, one storing RPGs, mortars, and grenade launchers, and another containing small arms ammunition, were completely destroyed. The remaining buildings, which house hand grenades, TNT, C4 explosives, and detonators, were spared.

The explosion's impact reached the Border Patrol Police Unit 21's guardhouse, located 300-400 meters from the depot, where windows were shattered. This damage is attributed to either the blast pressure or debris propelled by the explosion.

Safety measures at the depot include earthen walls up to 6 meters high surrounding each building, designed to mitigate shrapnel damage. Without these defenses, the destruction would have been significantly worse.

In Ban Klon village, situated north of the power plant and 300 meters from the explosion site, nearly every house suffered damage. The blast force shattered windows, ceilings, and light bulbs, and warped wooden doors in many homes.

Ms. Suphitra, a resident, recounted the harrowing experience of hearing the explosion and witnessing the ensuing fire. She described the urgency of fleeing her home to seek safety with relatives in the city.