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

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

[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 Thursday at 06:14 AM by Georgealbert