Pictures courtesy of Amarin.

 

A major fire broke out overnight at a rubber processing factory in Buriram province, burning intensely and sending thick plumes of smoke more than 10 kilometres across the surrounding area. Despite the efforts of over 20 fire engines, the blaze remained largely uncontrolled throughout the night.

 

The fire erupted at approximately 01:30 on 20 July, at the North East Rubber Public Company Limited, located at 398 Moo 4, Kok Ma Subdistrict, Prakhon Chai District. The factory, which produces and stores large quantities of rubber sheets for export, presented significant challenges to firefighting crews due to the flammable nature of the materials inside.

 

Fire crews from multiple districts were called in to battle the inferno, which quickly consumed a warehouse storing rubber blocks. Although the flames could not be extinguished, emergency responders managed to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby fuel storage tanks and adjacent buildings.

 

By morning, dense black smoke was still billowing into the sky, visible from over 10 kilometres away. Continuous water spraying operations were ongoing, with firefighters struggling to bring the situation under control.

 

 

Mr. Jamroen Waenpetch, Deputy Governor of Buriram Province, visited the scene and confirmed that the fire was located in a storage facility containing highly flammable rubber blocks, which made firefighting particularly difficult. “We’ve been informed that, fortunately, the smoke is not chemical in nature and is unlikely to pose serious health risks,” he said. “Nonetheless, residents in areas affected by the smoke have been advised to wear face masks as a precaution.”

 

The fire continued to burn throughout the day, as fire crews continued to damp down hot spots, no injuries were reported and damage estimates have not yet been determined. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the blaze.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-07-21

 

 

 

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

“We’ve been informed that, fortunately, the smoke is not chemical in nature and is unlikely to pose serious health risks,” he said

I don't think a lung-full of that black smoke would do you any good ?

I hope they use foam to extinguish the fire. Water doesn't do anything on burning rubber

42 minutes ago, Richardsamui said:

I hope they use foam to extinguish the fire. Water doesn't do anything on burning rubber

Yes agree that foam would be a better extinguishing agent on buning rubber, but there is no way that  the quantity of foam required would be available at this fire and the time taken to acquire the foam solution, means that other solutions would need to be applied.

 

Water can be used to extinguish burning rubber, but it's not always the best or most effective method. Water is effective for Class A fires (ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, cloth, and rubber) because it cools the fuel source and reduces the oxygen supply. 
 

However, rubber fires can be challenging to extinguish with water alone, especially when dealing with large amounts of rubber like here, hence the longer time for containment and extinguishment.

 

Some of those problems are;

 

Rubber burns intensely and retains heat

 

Water does not penetrate well in stacked rubber.

 

Thick black toxic smoke produced from burning rubber will not be suppressed during firefighting with water.

 

Risk of runoff contamination from fire water.