Huge furniture factory fire in Bangkok still raging, uncontrolled 20 hours later

More than 20 hours on, firefighters have yet to bring a massive blaze at a furniture factory in Lat Krabang district under control.

Thick black smoke has been billowing into the sky and into nearby residential areas, prompting evacuations.

Although there has been sporadic rainfall today, it has done little to help and flames can still be seen at the site in Chalongkrung Soi 55.

Officials say that plastic pellets were among the materials stored inside the factory, raising concerns that the smoke may be chemical in nature and toxic.

Authorities are also worried that the thick smoke could affect aviation, as the site is only 12 kilometres from Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

This morning, the factory’s first floor partially collapsed, due to the intensity of the fire.

Meanwhile, the factory’s owners had initially proved hard to locate, making it difficult for firefighters and related agencies to coordinate a proper response plan, but it is reported now that they are on their way to the site.

Lat Krabang district officials have set up a command centre and temporary shelters for residents of nearby communities and housing estates affected by the heat and smoke.

Montri Saengwong, a resident of a dormitory behind the factory, said that he evacuated last night, out of fear that the fire might spread due to strong winds.

Meanwhile, Kanunrat Rukaisiranon, a nurse with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Health Department, said she treated a number of people last night, all of whom were suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.