A fire broke out at a pier of Bhumibol Bridge 2 in Phra Pradaeng district, Samut Prakan, on Wednesday evening, prompting authorities to deploy more than ten fire engines.
The blaze was brought under control after more than an hour, with officials confirming that the bridge’s main structure was not damaged.
The fire occurred at about 7pm, engulfing a large black PPE drainage pipe installed along the bridge to channel runoff from the road surface to the ground below.
Flames spread rapidly along the pipe at the base of the bridge pier, alarming motorists and residents in the area.
Witnesses told authorities that prior to the fire, a group of children had been playing with toy cap guns near the site.
Firefighters sprayed water on the blaze and managed to contain it after about 1.30 hours, preventing it from spreading to the bridge’s main structure.
Rewat Sukkham, director of the Industrial Ring Road Division of the Department of Rural Highways, said the bridge remains structurally sound and was not affected by the fire.
However, a team of specialist engineers will conduct a detailed inspection on Thursday to ensure safety.
Phra Pradaeng district security chief Prin Jawathiyakul said initial findings suggest the fire originated from sparks at the base of the pier, near the drainage pipe carrying water down from the bridge.
The sparks caused the fire to spread upward to the underside of the bridge, he said.
