Fire at Prachinburi factory forces 600 workers to flee

A major fire broke out at a Chinese-owned factory under construction in Prachinburi, causing 600 workers to flee for their lives. The blaze began on the fourth floor, prompting the deployment of 15 fire engines to control the flames.

The incident occurred at 2pm yesterday, September 11, at the Dynamic Technology Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. factory, located in Si Maha Phot district, Prachinburi province, approximately 1.5 kilometres from the nearest community. The building spans 101 metres in width and 200 metres in length, situated on a 161-rai plot of land.

The fire department rescued over 10 individuals trapped inside the building. However, a thorough inspection of the damage is pending due to the presence of chemicals in the affected area.

The Si Maha Phot district office, in collaboration with the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, established an incident command centre to coordinate rescue efforts. The Governor of Prachinburi province, Ronarong Nakornjinda, delegated the coordination to the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, led by Chutamas Bua Phuean, the District Chief of Si Maha Phot.

Various governmental, private, and charitable organisations were involved in setting up a temporary shelter at Chaloem Phrakiat Rabopai Health Station, evacuating 10 bedridden patients from nearby areas since 6pm.

Dynamic Technology Manufacturing supported the operational teams with food, drinking water, fuel, and lubricants. Medical teams from Sri Maha Phot Hospital and Chulalongkorn Hospital provided first aid to 11 construction workers affected by the fire, mainly treating minor injuries and smoke inhalation at the scene. Additionally, three village leaders from Moo 6, who were injured during the operation, received medical attention at Sri Maha Phot Hospital but were not admitted.

Factory fire

Prachinburi’s labour welfare and protection office coordinated with Chon Buri Environmental Analysis Centre to assess air quality in the affected area today. Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames on the building’s fourth floor by 7.50pm, using self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) due to the confined space.

The factory, which manufactures electronic components, is owned by Chinese investors. When the fire erupted on the fourth floor, over 600 construction workers fled the building. Emergency services dispatched over 15 fire engines to combat the blaze throughout the day.

Saksit Butsiri, a volunteer from the Ruam Katanyu Nakhon Nayok rescue unit, reported that the fourth floor, where the fire originated, housed construction equipment that was completely destroyed. The exact nature of the equipment was not identified. It took approximately an hour to extinguish the fire inside, and rescuers had to evacuate the building due to significant structural noises, suggesting potential instability.

Chutamas, the District Chief of Si Maha Phot, stated that she oversaw the operations with relevant officials, ensuring extreme caution. By 6.30pm, firefighters successfully controlled the fire on the fourth floor.

“We have coordinated with relevant officials to ensure no one enters the building until a detailed inspection by forensic officials is conducted.”

Chutamas confirmed that there were no severe injuries or fatalities due to the fire, reported KhaoSod.

Police Colonel Mongkol Thopeo, Superintendent of Si Maha Phot Police Station, initially suggested that the fire might have started from sparks during metal welding on the affected floor, which rapidly spread to other areas.