Industrial waste plant in Rayong goes up in flames, people evacuated

[webfact]

 

A fire broke out this morning at a factory storing chemicals and industrial waste in the Bankai district of Rayong province, sending foul odours and thick smoke into the air. Explosions were heard occasionally.

 

People living near the factory have been evacuated to avoid the possible effects of the toxic fumes.

 

At press time, firefighters had brought the blaze under control, but had not yet extinguished it. They had to use foam suppressants to douse the fire, as the factory stores chemicals.

 

People in the area have already filed complaints with authorities, because the factory’s wastewater tanks ruptured, leaking untreated water into the community’s environment and living areas.

 

The Rayong Industry Office has ordered the factory’s owners to repair the water treatment system. Officials are about to visit the factory to check whether the order has been implemented.

 

Source: Thai PBS 2024-04-22

 

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[ChrisY1]

Another one burnt out....so much cheaper than trying to manage the waste....probably filed for bankruptcy at the same time!

[Georgealbert]

This fire at an abandoned warehouse, seems a daunting challenge for the responders, I would image there is no records of what is stored and in what quantities. As it is chemical waste disposal, you would assume, flammable gases, liquids or solids, compressed gas cylinders, possible water/air reactive, toxic materials, poisons, corrosives, oxidising agents, combustibles, etc.

 

Each type of material will pose it own risks, but when mixed in a fire situations, the new compounds, will have untested and unknown reactions, volatility, flammability, explosive risk, toxicity and health hazards.

 

The impact of this fire on the health and environment of the local people should not be ignored. Burning chemicals in the air can cause serious health problems. The smoke and ash from the fire can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, and other health issues. Hopefully those at risk, in a suitable evacuation zone, have been moved upwind of the smoke plume and the testing and monitoring is not just a 24 hour affairs, but covers, air testing, water testing, and ash/dust/soil testing, until everything is declared safe.

 

Edited April 22 by Georgealbert
Removed company name

[Georgealbert]

This site it seems was inspected in 2020, after local complaints of severe deterioration of natural water sources, and questions were raised on what operating license were in place.

[snoop1130]

Firefighters Withdrawn from Chemical Warehouse Fire Scene

 

 

RAYONG, April 22 (TNA) – Firefighters have been withdrawn from the scene of a fire at chemical warehouses in Rayong province, following chemical tank explosions on Monday.

 

The fire at the warehouses storing industrial waste and chemicals in Baan Khai district has been raging for over 6 hours. The fire continues to spread throughout the storage building, which houses nearly 10 warehouses, accompanied by continuous explosions.

 

For safety reasons, firefighters and fire trucks have been withdrawn from the scene due to the ongoing chemical tank explosions and the dispersion of chemicals into the air, causing both foul odors and eye and skin irritation.

 

Full story: Thai News Agency 2024-04-22

 

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[Georgealbert]

Thai media report of fire.
 

“The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health revealed that the fire was under control. It was found that 2 villages were affected. There were 6 patients stuck at home and bedridden who had to be evacuated. One rescue worker had a sore eye after extinguishing the fire, and one citizen had itching symptoms and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The air quality test results are still ongoing.

 

Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, said a report was received from the Rayong Provincial Public Health Authority that the incident occurred today at a factory that operated a recycling and disposal business. waste whose license was canceled, and is currently undergoing legal actions. Initially black smoke was blowing to the northeast and there were 2 villages affected: Village No. 8, Bang But Subdistrict, and Village No. 11, Nong Bua Subdistrict.

 

Temporary shelters and first aid stations have been established at Nong Phawa Temple and there was one injured person, a rescue worker, with burning sensation of the eyes. There were 2 bedridden/housebound patients who were evacuated to Nong Phawa Temple. Another evacuation point at Nong Bua Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, had approximately 35 people from Village No. 11 , where one person was found to have a rash all over his body and was taken to Ban Khai Hospital for treatment, and there were 4 bedridden patients, 1 who were evacuated to Hua Chuat Subdistrict Health Hospital, 1 case at Nongkrap Subdistrict Health Hospital, and 2 cases at Khlong Khanun Subdistrict Health Hospital.

A small amount of chemical vapour was found in the air, about 4 kilometres north of the factory. However, the results of preliminary air quality inspections in the surrounding communities, on the downwind side, northeast and north of the factory area were found within normal limits and it does not cause any health effects, said Dr. Opas.”

[Tarteso]

Well, we are in Smog Season.. What’s wrong ? 

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

People in the area have already filed complaints with authorities, because the factory’s wastewater tanks ruptured, leaking untreated water into the community’s environment and living areas.

 

The Rayong Industry Office has ordered the factory’s owners to repair the water treatment system. Officials are about to visit the factory to check whether the order has been implemented.

Sounds like a nightmare factory next door.

[klauskunkel]

14 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

the incident occurred today at a factory that operated a recycling and disposal business. waste whose license was canceled, and is currently undergoing legal actions.

getting rid of evidence...

[Georgealbert]

50 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

getting rid of evidence...

Maybe, have not seen any images from inside the factory that would confirm, but proving arson could be challenging, but not impossible, due to the extensive damage and the evidence of poor storage/housekeeping in the images above.

 

If we take the basic signs of arson, we see where the investigators should be looking, (my comments in brackets).

 

1. The damage is significant. (Yes)

2. Burn pattern discrepancy, unusual burn patterns, high heat stress.(easy to identify once inside)

3. Lack of accidental causes. (Was electricity isolated, anyone living at site, was the site being used at all)

4. A unidentifiable point of origin for the fire. (Was the fire started at a strange or unexpected location, or not clear where it started)

5. Multiple points of origin. (Pictures and videos shows fire staring in 1 unit, before spreading)

6. Accelerants are present. (Difficult to identify due to chemical storage.)

7. Responders notice fire not burning normally. (Difficult with the amount of different chemicals present)

8. Property owner acts suspicious. (Has reasons, but factory has been closed, under legal action for 4 years already).

[john donson]

thailand has zero fire fighting planes that could drop something ecofriendly on target?

[Georgealbert]

32 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Maybe, have not seen any images from inside the factory that would confirm, but proving arson could be challenging, but not impossible, due to the extensive damage and the evidence of poor storage/housekeeping in the images above.

 

If we take the basic signs of arson, we see where the investigators should be looking, (my comments in brackets).

 

1. The damage is significant. (Yes)

2. Burn pattern discrepancy, unusual burn patterns, high heat stress.(easy to identify once inside)

3. Lack of accidental causes. (Was electricity isolated, anyone living at site, was the site being used at all)

4. A unidentifiable point of origin for the fire. (Was the fire started at a strange or unexpected location, or not clear where it started)

5. Multiple points of origin. (Pictures and videos shows fire staring in 1 unit, before spreading)

6. Accelerants are present. (Difficult to identify due to chemical storage.)

7. Responders notice fire not burning normally. (Difficult with the amount of different chemicals present)

8. Property owner acts suspicious. (Has reasons, but factory has been closed, under legal action for 4 years already).

Also seems that in 2021 that the Pollution Control Department was demanding the company pay compensation of more than 1.3 billion baht for damage caused to the environment and the community near the factory, This legal action is ongoing, and the fire likely to have caused more environmental damage.

[Georgealbert]

7 minutes ago, john donson said:

thailand has zero fire fighting planes that could drop something ecofriendly on target?

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has four Ka-32A11BC helicopters, fitted for firefighting operations, manly deploying water drops. These helicopters are currently being used on the mountain/hill fires in the north. DDPM was also recently refused additional budget for further helicopters.

 

It would also be a very rare occurrence, that aerial firefighting, would be considered on this type of fire. Dropping water or chemicals onto a roof, does not work, as roofs are designed to keep things out, plus it the roof collapses or it causes structural damage, it will make access to the seat of the fire a lot more difficult.

 

The accuracy of dropping water from the air onto a specific target, can be challenging, with the smoke and heat rising above the factory.

 

Responders on the ground are better equipped to aim water, foam and firefighting agents directly at the source of the fire.

 

The use of aerial water drops is more commonly employed for fighting large forest/grass wildfires, where the spread of the fire over a wide area makes it difficult for ground-based responders to access and contain.

 

[mikecha]

And when the fire is out

All a  big mistake and all the crap will get into the  environment  .never cleaned up  and who owns it Bankrupt Moved on to the next shady business ,

 

what  a disaster around the coast of Rayong  going towards  Cambodia   it is very pleasant   near Ban Pai on the coast road .many of you must have  been there ,

 

 

 

 

[Georgealbert]

1 hour ago, mikecha said:

And when the fire is out

All a  big mistake and all the crap will get into the  environment  .never cleaned up  and who owns it Bankrupt Moved on to the next shady business ,

 

what  a disaster around the coast of Rayong  going towards  Cambodia   it is very pleasant   near Ban Pai on the coast road .many of you must have  been there ,

 

 

 

 

Seems this environmental problem was first found by an inspection in 2010, and even after legal action, very little or nothing has been done. Now with the fire the issues can only be worse, with further pollution released by the fire.

 

https://www.earththailand.org/en/article/717

 

Seems this is the second fire being linked to the factory owner. The Ministry of Industry, believes the fire in Rayong is linked to the incident at a factory at Phachi Ayutthaya

 

Edited April 23 by Georgealbert

[PETERTHEEATER]

On 4/22/2024 at 6:44 AM, webfact said:

Officials are about to visit the factory to check whether the order has been implemented.

Dress well. Stay safe. Thank you for your service. 😋

[Georgealbert]

This fire is being linked to another fire from the same company, which was believed to be arson.

 

“They returned to the site to search warehouse 3 and found several more items suspected to have been used in the arson attack, such as cherry bombs, petrol containers, degraded electrical wires and a large bag containing sawdust.”

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/police-claim-fire-at-ayutthaya-chemical-storage-facility-was-arson/

[cowellandrew]

Ah that's got  shot of the missing cadmium!

😂