Fire crews have managed to control a huge fire at an engine oil warehouse in Samphran district of Thailand’s central province of Nakhon Pathom, after battling the blaze with chemicals for more than two hours.
One volunteer was reported to have suffered burns and has been rushed to the nearest hospital.
According to the Fire Department’s webpage, the conflagration started at about 12.30pm at the premises of Prapakorn Oil Company, located on Phetkasem Road in Om-noi sub-district, which was being used to store thinners, lubricating oils and other inflammable materials.
The cause of the fire is not known at this stage, but Director-General of Pollution Control Department Atthaphon Charoenchansa said today that the same facility was struck by fire seven months ago.
People living within a kilometre of the blaze were advised to evacuate, as their presence could hamper efforts to control the fire, said Atthaphol, adding that fire crews were also told to prevent the oil from leaking into the environment.
The fire sent plumes of thick black smoke into the sky, causing panic among residents living in the neighbourhood.
Atthaphol also said that strong winds posed a problem when trying to bring the fire under control and fire crews had to use a lot of chemicals extinguish it.
The cost of the damage is yet to be assessed.
