The paper factory in the Muang district of Samut Sakhon province, which has been on fire since Saturday, and its surrounding areas have been announced as a disaster zone by the provincial administration, in order to help the firefighting efforts and provide assistance to fire victims.
Santhiti Thammajai, the head of the provincial public disaster prevention and mitigation office, said today that firefighters have managed to control 60% of the fire on approximately 4.8 hectares in Ban Koh sub-district, where the factory, producing corrugated and packing paper, is situated. The factory had about 20,000 tonnes of paper when the fire started yesterday morning.
Efforts to fight the fire are concentrated on the areas with the most paper, the coal storage area, and the boilers. Two fire trucks and two backhoes are deployed at each.
Santhiti mentioned that the boilers are the most concerning area because coal is used as fuel. However, the situation has improved after firefighters successfully closed off the conveyor system that transports coal to the boilers.
Firefighters are now working in two alternating shifts to put out the fire, which is expected to be fully under control by tomorrow.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, as forensic officers wait for the fire to be extinguished before entering the plant to conduct their investigation.
