Blaze in Samut Sakhon warehouse causes millions in damages

A fierce fire erupted in a warehouse complex in Samut Sakhon, causing extensive damage and affecting multiple businesses. Over 10 fire trucks were deployed to contain the blaze, which resulted in losses amounting to several million baht.

At approximately 6am today, October 25, Surapol Wichit, a deputy inspector from the Samut Sakhon City Police Station, received a report of a fire at a company in Ban Ko subdistrict. Fire trucks from Bang Pla Municipality, Nadi Municipality, Ban Ko Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, and nearby local government units were dispatched to the scene.

Flames were rapidly engulfing four rental warehouses, prompting firefighters to work urgently to prevent the blaze from spreading further. It took around two hours to bring the fire under control.

Initial inspections revealed that the fire had destroyed production equipment, materials, and goods, including rolls of plastic, stored within the affected company. Other warehouses used for storing snacks, flour, and various items also suffered significant damage. Neighbouring warehouses experienced structural collapses, with the fire consuming nearly all stored goods.

Orathai, a 30 year old coordinator, reported that the fire originated from a warehouse at the far end, operated by a hardware company, before spreading. She noted that while the warehouses were part of the same rental complex, they were leased by different companies.

Another business owner in the same area stated that their warehouse, containing cardboard boxes and rolls of plastic with a value exceeding 10 million baht (US$295,860), was destroyed. The first warehouse primarily stored plastic.

Warehouse fire

Police will collaborate with forensic experts from Samut Sakhon to investigate the cause of the fire. Chatri Pho-ob, the Mayor of Bang Pla Municipality, coordinated efforts with the district chief, district clerk, and the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation team.

He received the fire alert around 5am and immediately ordered municipal fire trucks to the scene. However, due to the intensity of the flames, additional fire trucks from neighbouring areas were called in for support.

Chatri mentioned that the entire area, spanning approximately 70 rai (around 28 acres), consists of rental warehouses used by various companies for storage. He confirmed that firefighters had managed to control the fire but continued to monitor and douse hotspot areas to prevent any resurgence. The site has been cordoned off as a precaution due to partial structural collapses, reported KhaoSod.

Chatri added that the cause of the fire remains under investigation, requiring the combined efforts of police, forensic experts, and municipal engineers.