Fire Sparks Arson Concerns at Rayong Chemical Warehouse

[webfact]

 

A fire that broke out at chemical warehouses owned by Win Process company in Rayong, has raised arson suspicions. The company is located in the Ban Khai district of Rayong, an eastern province. Despite the extensive damage, the company owner has not given out any statement.

 

At present, the fire has been contained to 95%, but extinguishing efforts are not fully completed due to hazardous chemicals in the warehouse. Deputy Governor of Rayong, Kanchai Thepworrachai, reported that the smoke from the fire remains a problem.

 

Chutiphong Pipoppinyo, a member of parliament from the Move Forward Party, questioned the cause of the fire. He pointed out the directive given to Win Process to relocate chemical substances for safe disposal and the time frame of the fire, which started during the company's operational hours. Added to the fact that the power had been cut off, ruling out an electrical fault as the cause.

 

Furthermore, Chutiphong highlighted that the owner of Win Process is also the owner of a chemical warehouse in Ayutthaya, which experienced a similar fire incident in February. An unexploded bomb was discovered in the aftermath.

 

Although Deputy Governor Kanchai agreed that the cause of the fire remains uncertain, he dismissed the likelihood of an electrical shortage. He suggested that elevated temperatures combined with the presence of chemicals might have triggered the fire, though a thorough investigation is required.

 

Ban Khai district chief, Thotsaphon Borwonmote, reported that no one claimed ownership of Win Process post-fire. The district chief observed such incidents are not uncommon within similar industries.

 

Photo via Facebook/ มูลนิธิบูรณะนิเวศ (EARTH)

 

-- ASEAN NOW 2024-04-25

 

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[Georgealbert]

This abandoned factory has been reported to Rayong Authorities for over 10 years and subject to legal action before the fire.
 

This fire is known to have started in one warehouse, so any investigation of arson should focus on this area, as the initial seat of the fire, to determine the cause.

 

Inspections before the fire, found that the factory had 5 warehouses, storing chemicals and waste plastic materials, paper, and contaminated oil, contaminated gasoline, corrosive substances, and used motor oil, all which are packed in 200 litres drums, stacked in all the warehouses and outside.

 

Around the factory there are a number of contaminated oil storage ponds, some covered with canvas.

 

The video below, shows the conditions before the fire.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 25 by Georgealbert

[Georgealbert]

Also good to see in the above report, the use of the DDPM, LUF 60, firefighting robot, to help reduce the risk and exposure to responders, instead of just being used for PM 2.5 dust/pollution dispersal.

 

 

Edited April 25 by Georgealbert

[Peterphuket]

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

This abandoned factory has been reported to Rayong Authorities for over 10 years and subject to legal action before the fire.
 

This fire is known to have started in one warehouse, so any investigation of arson should focus on this area, as the initial seat of the fire, to determine the cause.

 

Inspections before the fire, found that the factory had 5 warehouses, storing chemicals and waste plastic materials, paper, and contaminated oil, contaminated gasoline, corrosive substances, and used motor oil, all which are packed in 200 litres drums, stacked in all the warehouses and outside.

 

Around the factory there are a number of contaminated oil storage ponds, some covered with canvas.

 

The video below, shows the conditions before the fire.

 

 

 

 

 

One of the many places in Thailand.

[newbee2022]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

 

A fire that broke out at chemical warehouses owned by Win Process company in Rayong, has raised arson suspicions. The company is located in the Ban Khai district of Rayong, an eastern province. Despite the extensive damage, the company owner has not given out any statement.

 

At present, the fire has been contained to 95%, but extinguishing efforts are not fully completed due to hazardous chemicals in the warehouse. Deputy Governor of Rayong, Kanchai Thepworrachai, reported that the smoke from the fire remains a problem.

 

Chutiphong Pipoppinyo, a member of parliament from the Move Forward Party, questioned the cause of the fire. He pointed out the directive given to Win Process to relocate chemical substances for safe disposal and the time frame of the fire, which started during the company's operational hours. Added to the fact that the power had been cut off, ruling out an electrical fault as the cause.

 

Furthermore, Chutiphong highlighted that the owner of Win Process is also the owner of a chemical warehouse in Ayutthaya, which experienced a similar fire incident in February. An unexploded bomb was discovered in the aftermath.

 

Although Deputy Governor Kanchai agreed that the cause of the fire remains uncertain, he dismissed the likelihood of an electrical shortage. He suggested that elevated temperatures combined with the presence of chemicals might have triggered the fire, though a thorough investigation is required.

 

Ban Khai district chief, Thotsaphon Borwonmote, reported that no one claimed ownership of Win Process post-fire. The district chief observed such incidents are not uncommon within similar industries.

 

Photo via Facebook/ มูลนิธิบูรณะนิเวศ (EARTH)

 

-- ASEAN NOW 2024-04-25

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

Who cares?

The Govt?

Obviously not!

[PETERTHEEATER]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

At present, the fire has been contained to 95%, but extinguishing efforts are not fully completed due to hazardous chemicals in the warehouse. Deputy Governor of Rayong, Kanchai Thepworrachai, reported that the smoke from the fire remains a problem

Yet random people gather around a contaminated crater taking photos......😋

[Georgealbert]

59 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Yet random people gather around a contaminated crater taking photos......😋

Yes agree, it would be better to have an operational hot zone (contaminated area) to keep none emergency response persons, well out of the way.

 

Think the problem, was that yesterday, the Department of Pollution Control, stated that the area around the fire was showing normal atmospheric readings, and only when exposed to the smoke, are the readings high. Providing everyone is kept upwind of the smoke, the hazard is reduced, but not removed, but not a good safety practise.

 

The problem is the fire will continue to smoulder for days, as the chemical/combustible mix under the rubble/roof/earth/foam, will remain hot and when exposed to the air, will burn again. I would expect that some of the waste chemicals also have oxidising properties, so when heated give off oxygen, so will still burn, even when covered over.
 

Monitoring and sampling will need to continue, plus the fire water run off also needs be tested for any contamination.

 

Edited April 25 by Georgealbert

[chickenslegs]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Furthermore, Chutiphong highlighted that the owner of Win Process is also the owner of a chemical warehouse in Ayutthaya, which experienced a similar fire incident in February.

A streak of bad luck for the Win Process company.

 

On the bright side, maybe it has saved them a lot of money in safe disposal fees.

[Georgealbert]

Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand (EARTH) says that the Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will visit the site on Saturday.

 

The Pollution Control Department informed people living near the warehouse that they could return to their homes because the air quality is now good enough, but EARTH's testing showed that the level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is still around 100-400 within a 3-kilometre radius of the warehouses, which is an acceptable indoor VOC level. However, the readings for the concentration of PM 1 (particulate pollutants smaller than 1 micrometers) PM 2.5, PM 4(4 micrometers), and PM 10 (10 micrometers) particles remain high and could be hazardous to people.

 

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

 

 

 

Edited April 25 by Georgealbert

[bradiston]

"Ban Khai district chief, Thotsaphon Borwonmote, reported that no one claimed ownership of Win Process post-fire." 

 

Shouldn't be hard to trace though, surely?

[Georgealbert]

8 hours ago, bradiston said:

"Ban Khai district chief, Thotsaphon Borwonmote, reported that no one claimed ownership of Win Process post-fire." 

 

Shouldn't be hard to trace though, surely?

June 2021 a lawsuit was filed against the company, and persons must have been named at that time.

“Nong Phawa villagers sue Win Process company demanding environmental restoration and compensation for agricultural losses”

 

”a lawsuit against Win Process Company Limited and two associated authority figures in the company.”

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

 

There must also be company registration details available.

 

https://www.matchlink.asia/business/page/Thailand/RAYONG/99253-win-process-co-ltd.html

 

[Georgealbert]

From the Rayong Province Public Relations Department,

 

“Police Commander of Rayong Province leads police officers to examine evidence. and investigators to collect evidence to find the cause of fire. 20 witnesses have been questioned , while the factory owner still cannot be traced for questioning, claiming to be busy outside the area.

 

At 3:30 p.m. on April 28, 2024, reporters reported on progress in the case of a fire.
 

A backhoe was sent to remove a pile of chemicals from warehouse no. 5, where the fire started. Officer driving the backhoe had to retreat in a hurry so responders could spray water to extinguish the fire exposed. In the area of Warehouse 5 there is still smoke in some areas. which officials brought in with backhoes to help remove.

 

Meanwhile, at Warehouse 3, officials used sodium bicarbonate to cover the hole where smoke was found escaping. This is to hasten extinguishment of the fire, as In some places there is still smoke coming out.

 

Pol. Maj. Gen. Pongphan Wongmaneethet, commander of Rayong Provincial Police, Pol. Col. Sarawut Nuchanart, superintendent of Ban Khai Police Station. Pol. Lt. Col. Wirat Techanan, Deputy Superintendent (Investigation), Ban Khai Police Station, Pol. Lt. Col. Wirat Pol. Col. Parichat Unteng, scientist (S.B. 4), forensics, Rayong Province, led police officers to examine evidence. They inspected the scene using drones to collect evidence.

 

Pol. Maj. Gen. Pongphan Wongmaneethet, commander of Rayong Provincial Police, said police officers will check evidence at the scene as soon as possible. and fully support relevant agencies, after being confident that the area is safe

 

20 witnesses have now been interviewed, including 5 factory employees and security guards, while the rest are members of the public who live near the factory.“

 

 

[LennyW]

On 4/29/2024 at 3:01 PM, Georgealbert said:

while the factory owner still cannot be traced for questioning, claiming to be busy outside the area.

No problem, just come and have a chat when you can, only if it is convenient for you though, wouldn't want to interrupt your busyness!!

[Georgealbert]

Seems there is another Win Process factory in the Rayong area. Inspectors found the business has closed, but have left chemicals stored in the warehouse.

 

Rayong Province Industrial Officers, went to the factory in Huai Pong Subdistrict, Mueang Rayong District, fearing a repeat of the fire like the factory in Ban Khai District. Inspection found metal tanks containing chemicals. and various machinery, plus cardboard boxes, scrap paper,  plastic and metal drums, on wooden pallets storing chemicals, all similar to the  factory where the fire occurred.

 

 

[Georgealbert]

Seems there is another fire, which maybe linked to the same company.

 

“The fire at an unlicensed factory in Ayutthaya's Phachi District, which illegally stored industrial waste, was intentionally started to cover up evidence of wrongdoing, said Jullapong Thaveesri, the director-general of the Department of Industrial Works.

 

Jullapong said the factory operated without a license and had been illegally storing 4,000 tonnes of industrial waste, including spent hydrochloric acid and other dangerous chemicals, in five warehouses.

 

The same factory had previously caught fire on February 29 before the recent incident, which started around 18:00 yesterday and was extinguished around 02:00 last night.

 

Authorities suspect that the fire was started by incendiary devices. These devices are made of plastic container, with a cement bottom containing gasoline, with a fuse consisting of a firecracker attached to incense sticks. Additionally, a bottle containing aluminium powder was found inside one of the burnt-down warehouses, which could enhance the effectiveness of incendiary devices.“

Edited May 2 by Georgealbert

[Georgealbert]

New chemical leak guidance issued by DDPM (Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation)

 

My translation.

 

Edited May 6 by Georgealbert

[Georgealbert]

Mr. Piya Pitutecha, President of the Rayong Provincial Administrative Organisation, explained that they are digging ponds to trap concentrated chemical run off, after extinguishing the fire at the Win Process factory.

 

The ponds, which will be lined, are to trap concentrated chemical sludge. before the water overflows from the factory’s original wastewater storage ponds. 
 

It was revealed that after digging down to a depth of 5 metres, water was discovered, that had a dark black appearance, with a strong stench similar to engine oil. This is thought to be chemicals seeping underground, from the factory, that have accumulated over a long period of time.
 

They are expected to dig to about 10 metres depth and a total of 3-4 of the ponds will be required to receive approximately 250,000 cubic feet of waste water. The excavation, hoped to be completed within 4 days in time for the upcoming rainy season. The soil removed is being used to reinforce the existing ponds on the site.

 

[Georgealbert]

The factory is burning again this afternoon, with smoke blowing across local communities.

 

It is not clear if this is from the clearance work, or a new fire, as it started within warehouse 3

Edited May 12 by Georgealbert

[Georgealbert]

Rayong Province Public Relation reported.

 
“Today (12 May 2024) at 15.00 a fire broke out near the aluminium dross pile, inwarehouse 3. It is speculated that it may have been caused by the rain that fell yesterday near the aluminium dross (slag) pile and reacted with water. That reaction has caused the production of more heat, and today the weather is so hot that it caused a fire to in nearby debris.

 

Responders are currently considering controlling the fire with suitable chemicals, as using water, will not be effective and could increase the combustion.”

 

Aluminium dross can reacts with water to produce methane, ammonia, and hydrogen, flammable gases, and may produce corrosive solutions. Runoff fire water may cause environmental contamination

 

Edited May 12 by Georgealbert

[Georgealbert]

Fire extinguished again.

 

Five fire trucks from the Bangbut Subdistrict Administrative Organization came to the scene and It took 2 hours to bring the fire under control.

 

Water was used to extinguish the fire as the fire did not involve the aluminium dross. Responders had a supply of sodium carbonate, which is being stored in warehouse 2, if the fire had spread to the pile of aluminium dross.

 

 

 

[Georgealbert]

Officials from the Mobile Groundwater Quality Inspection Team, of The Department of Groundwater Resources have began drilling to collect groundwater samples and also collect soil samples 

 

The drilling was done in the area of the neighbouring rubber plantation next to Warehouse 5. There will also be drilling scattered around the factory, along with officials coming to survey the area to map the terrain and check the direction of water flow run off.

 

 

Edited May 14 by Georgealbert

[Georgealbert]

In front of the Rayong Provincial Government Centre, this afternoon, local Nong Phawa residents protested and demanded that local and national agencies fix the industrial waste factory fire and pollution problems.

[kwilco]

It looks as if the locals and workers on these sites have now suffered physical (and psychological) damage. Also it remains to be seen what damage has REALLY been done to crops, water table the sea and the environment in general.

 

Would you buy a mango, pineapple  or sweet corn that has been lightly dusted with unspecified chemicals?

 

I used to work in this region and it is not a new problem, possibly exacerbated by the advent of the EEC project, but I read that 50% of industrial waste in the region was improperly disposed of. 

I've worked in a factory whilst a fire broke out and watching the emergency procedures was  very saddening. Escape routes to the ar park were padlocked - ("It's OK someone will unlock if there is a fire")

I also worked with an aromatics company in one of their 'bunkers"  - the safety there was a total joke with "sealed" doors left wide open.

 

I've posted on this over the past 20 years.

 

 

Edited May 15 by kwilco

[Georgealbert]

8 hours ago, kwilco said:

It looks as if the locals and workers on these sites have now suffered physical (and psychological) damage. Also it remains to be seen what damage has REALLY been done to crops, water table the sea and the environment in general.

 

Would you buy a mango, pineapple  or sweet corn that has been lightly dusted with unspecified chemicals?

 

I used to work in this region and it is not a new problem, possibly exacerbated by the advent of the EEC project, but I read that 50% of industrial waste in the region was improperly disposed of. 

I've worked in a factory whilst a fire broke out and watching the emergency procedures was  very saddening. Escape routes to the ar park were padlocked - ("It's OK someone will unlock if there is a fire")

I also worked with an aromatics company in one of their 'bunkers"  - the safety there was a total joke with "sealed" doors left wide open.

 

I've posted on this over the past 20 years.

 

 

Fully agree with your comments.

 

The enforcement of safety standards in any workplace is always difficult, as it will depend on the company’s management and attitude. The authorities will never have the time or staff to do full inspections more regularly than say yearly, or twice yearly if high risk.
 

If internal pressure, from staff, to improve safety is not working, then that is the time that authorities should have a reporting system, and do spot inspections and push enforcement.

 

Seems that from this fire, the Governor of Rayong, Mr. Traipop Wongtrairat has inspected the site and said the chemical disposal needs to be expedited. He has proposed submitting a chemical disposal plan to the Rayong Provincial Court, this Friday, for consideration. The plan is to take the money that the factory owners has previously placed as security at the court, from earlier legal action, 4 million baht, and that is to be used to manage the chemical waste disposal. The plan will be submitted to the Rayong Court. by the Department of Industrial Works.

 

Ms. Sirikat Luengsakul, Director of the Industrial Waste Management Division, Department of Industrial Works, revealed that the chemical waste will be divided into 2 groups. The first group is the high risk chemicals, which needs urgent immediate action. This would be done using the 4 million baht. Then the remaining chemicals will be the dealt with under The Hazardous Substances Act, with The Department of Factories, asking for additional budget from the central government.

 

Edited May 15 by Georgealbert

[kwilco]

22 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

The enforcement of safety standards in any workplace is always difficult, a

firstly the system is incredibly corrupt. Most inspections are a social visit.

 

Another thing is the incredibly rigid hierarchy in a Thai business - I've pointed out some serious faults in H&S in a big factory I worked in for several years - the owners/board/management were. very polite but also totally shocked that a subordinate should point out these failings - I was duly ignored - although from time to time I would be offered an excuse that simply defied logic.

 

THey couldn't even get their health and safety signs up to international standards.

I think at least 3 of the places I worked at had explosions which resulted in deaths or serious injuries.

 

THe reasoning as to why an incident occured is just without reason or logic - one company I knew jumped into action after a fire by .......... calling in a feng shui expert - who told them to move furniture around and sack one em[ployee - not even in the building of the fire. THey employed about 4000 people.

 

As ever everything is reactive rather than proactive

 

 

Edited May 15 by kwilco

[Georgealbert]

23 minutes ago, kwilco said:

firstly the system is incredibly corrupt. Most inspections are a social visit.

 

Another thing is the incredibly rigid hierarchy in a Thai business - I've pointed out some serious faults in H&S in a big factory I worked in for several years - the owners/board/management were. very polite but also totally shocked that a subordinate should point out these failings - I was duly ignored - although from time to time I would be offered an excuse that simply defied logic.

 

THey couldn't even get their health and safety signs up to international standards.

I think at least 3 of the places I worked at had explosions which resulted in deaths or serious injuries.

 

THe reasoning as to why an incident occured is just without reason or logic - one company I knew jumped into action after a fire by .......... calling in a feng shui expert - who told them to move furniture around and sack one em[ployee - not even in the building of the fire. THey employed about 4000 people.

 

As ever everything is reactive rather than proactive

 

 

This chemical waste factory is the perfect example of what you are saying.

 

Remember this factory had previous legal action, for which it was fined and ordered to pay compensation.
 

This incident is also still be investigated to determine if it was arson, to destroy evidence, along with its other factory site in Ayutthaya.

 

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

 

https://arnika.org/en/news/thai-company-ordered-to-pay-half-a-million-euro-for-polluting-the-environment

[Georgealbert]

Local government agencies have appointed a contract company for chemical waste disposal, and on 18 May they begun moving chemicals out the factory.

 

Today they began transporting the aluminium dross waste from warehouse 3 and glass etching sludge from warehouse 2, this is prevent any further reactions/heating, leading to further fire outbreaks.

 

The aluminium dross waste will be transported for disposal at the factory in Chonburi Province, 90 km away, while the glass etching sludge will be taken it for disposal at the cement factory, Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province.

[LennyW]

The bottom line on this whole scenario lies with whoever approved it when it first started.

What did they approve? use of the buildings?, use of the area?, what was the approval criteria? - were drainage and seepage considered? Was emergency containment considered? what emergency plans are in place?, Is there adequate fire suppression systems in place?, are they working to ISO environmental standards? What are the procedures for receiving and documenting incoming materials? What is the procedure for segregation of materials?, What are the procedures for final disposal?, records for final disposal?, who approves the final disposal? 

Someone initially gave the approval for this company to operate, they are the ones that need to be held accountable.

[Georgealbert]

7 hours ago, LennyW said:

The bottom line on this whole scenario lies with whoever approved it when it first started.

What did they approve? use of the buildings?, use of the area?, what was the approval criteria? - were drainage and seepage considered? Was emergency containment considered? what emergency plans are in place?, Is there adequate fire suppression systems in place?, are they working to ISO environmental standards? What are the procedures for receiving and documenting incoming materials? What is the procedure for segregation of materials?, What are the procedures for final disposal?, records for final disposal?, who approves the final disposal? 

Someone initially gave the approval for this company to operate, they are the ones that need to be held accountable.

Fully agree with all you say, but this company never had the permits to operate, so the safety measures, protections controls, systems of works, management systems, environmental measures, operating policies, documentation and records, you mentioned were never required, implemented or inspected. This factory is a total disaster, failing on any compliance, but seems for some reason, deliberate or not, to have been able to slip under the radar of all authorities.

 

The following quotes are from the EARTH (Ecological Alert and Recovery-Thailand) press release in 2021, when Nong Phawa villagers finally sued the company demanding environmental restoration and compensation for agricultural losses.

“ In 2013 provincial authorities ordered Win Process to cease operation and remove hazardous wastes from the area. The company ignored this order, and continued to transport and hold hazardous wastes without permits. However, regulatory agencies such as the Department of Industrial Works failed to investigate and punish the company.”

 

“Tiab Smanmit, lost 1450 Rubber plants and 20 rai of arable land. We began to notice the impact since the establishment of the factory in 2010. It started with foul, unbearable smell coming from the factory. Later in 2013, we begin to see wastewater released from the factory into the public waterways and ponds”

 

“By 2017, the rubber plants near those water sources began to die and by 2020, swathes of rubber plants were completely gone.”

 

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

Edited May 19 by Georgealbert

[Georgealbert]

It is being reported, in Thai media, that the transportation of chemical waste was halted on the second day, after resistance by local villagers, who blocked the vehicles. 

 

On day one, it is reported that 201 tons, of aluminium dross, were transported for disposal at a factory in Chonburi province. On the 19 May 9 trucks arrived  to transport an additional 100 tons, to Mittlecom Co., Ltd. factory, Phanat Nikhom District, Chonburi, but local residents were refusing to allow it to be delivered and  as a result, the transport of aluminium dross, from warehouse 3, has stopped.

The Chonburi Governor is trying to explain to the locals, and clarify the situation.

 

Edited May 20 by Georgealbert