Fire Rages at Samut Sakhon Recycling & Plastic Pellet Factory

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

Firefighters have been battling a massive blaze at a recycling and plastic pellet factory of Sino-Thai Marine Products Co., covering 10 rai, in Samut Sakhon’s Bang Ya Phraek subdistrict, which was first reported late night on September 5, with the fire continuing to spread in early morning . Authorities have initiated emergency evacuations for residents living behind the factory as flames encroach on nearby homes.

 

The fire was first reported around 23:40. in the large recycling storage unit with the flames quickly engulfing more than half of the premises,.

 

Despite relentless efforts to contain the fire, it spread uncontrollably within the factory’s storage areas. The flames reached two critical sections of the facility. The second storage unit, which contains plastic pellets, has been severely affected, and is burning, while the third unit, further inside the factory, holds massive piles of tyres, which are also ablaze.

 

 

As the fire shows no signs of diminishing, authorities are increasingly concerned about its proximity to the residential areas behind the factory. The heat and intensity of the flames, combined with the risk of further spread, have forced firefighters and emergency personnel to evacuate local residents to safer locations.

 

Firefighters have continued to deploy additional fire trucks from neighbouring areas to support the efforts, but conditions remain challenging. Strong winds have made it difficult to control the blaze, and the nearby natural water sources have proven insufficient for the scale of the fire. Additionally, the factory’s materials, such as plastic and rubber, are highly flammable, further complicating the situation.

 

Investigations into the cause of the fire will begin once the situation is under control, but the priority remains ensuring the safety of the local population and containing the blaze.

 

 

-- 2024-09-06

 

 

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[Georgealbert]

Responders video of the fire.

 

[Georgealbert]

Fire at Recycling Factory Subsides but Thick Smoke Continues to Threaten Local Residents
 

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The fire at a recycling factory in Bang Ya Phraek, Samut Sakhon, that started late on the night of September 5, has begun to subside. However, thick black smoke continues to billow into the air, causing nearby residents to evacuate, unable to continue living in the affected area. Complaints had previously been made about illegal waste discharge and foul odours from the facility.

 

As of 09:00, September 6, firefighters had successfully contained the blaze to a limited area, using backhoes to remove piles of waste from the top of the stack and spraying water to fully extinguish the fire below. Despite the reduced flames, this method has caused a resurgence of dense black smoke, raising concerns among locals that the fire might flare up again.

 

Although there are no longer visible flames as there were during the night, the black smoke and pungent odor have spread throughout the surrounding area. Local health officials, including staff from the Tambon Bang Ya Phraek Health Promotion Hospital and public health volunteers, were forced to evacuate vulnerable residents such as bedridden patients and individuals with respiratory conditions to the Bang Ya Phraek Municipal Office for temporary shelter.

 

Those residents in better health have been advised to temporarily relocate to safe areas outside the reach of the smoke until public health authorities can assess the situation and declare it safe to return home.

 

Meanwhile, residents of the nearby Khlong Chon community, located directly behind the factory, have gathered in fear, unable to leave for work due to worries that the fire might intensify and spread to their homes. The factory is separated from the community only by a narrow irrigation canal and fence.

 

Mr. Nakorn, a community representative, revealed that complaints had been lodged on several occasions regarding the factory's illegal waste disposal and offensive odors. Despite repeated calls for government agencies to intervene, little action was taken. Around 4 to 5 months ago, the factory imported large quantities of old rubber for oil production, further escalating concerns by building a large oil storage tank near the community.

 

-- 2024-09-06

 

 

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[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

Mr. Nakorn, a community representative, revealed that complaints had been lodged on several occasions regarding the factory's illegal waste disposal and offensive odors. Despite repeated calls for government agencies to intervene, little action was taken. Around 4 to 5 months ago, the factory imported large quantities of old rubber for oil production, further escalating concerns by building a large oil storage tank near the community.

Let it burn to the ground... problem solved.

[Georgealbert]

Fire Contained at Sino-Thai Marine Products Factory in Samut Sakhon

 

 

Picture from responders.

The fire that broke out at the Sino-Thai Marine Products Co. Ltd. factory has been successfully contained by local authorities.
 

The final phase of extinguishing the fire, which involves the burning piles of tyres, is currently underway. 
 

The following steps have been taken:

 

 

1. Firefighters are using a combination of fire trucks and foam to put out the fire, with assistance from backhoes digging out fuel sources. Authorities expect the fire to be fully extinguished by the end of the day, September 6.

2. The Samut Sakhon Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment coordinated with Region 5 Pollution Control officials to monitor air quality within a 500-metre, 2-kilometre, and 3-kilometre radius of the factory. No dangerous levels of air pollution have been detected. Nevertheless, residents living near the factory have been advised to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed. If they need to leave their homes, they should wear face masks.

 

3. There has been no damage to nearby residential areas, as the fire was prevented from spreading to those areas.

 

The video below shows the amount of smoke being given off.

 

[Purdey]

I hope the community will be safe. Seems like negligence was involved.