Bangkok: A massive explosion in a factory on the outskirts of Bangkok early Monday ripped off an airport terminal serving the capital of Thailand, injuring at least 11 people and evacuating residents from the area.
The fire broke out at about 3am at a foam and plastic pallet manufacturing plant in a south-eastern area just outside Bangkok near Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Firefighters could be seen on photos of Thai media climbing through twisted steel wreckage to get their snakes near the flames while fighting to control the fire.
Other photos showed houses in the area with their windows smashed and wreckage in the streets, with black smoke even hours later across the area.
Authorities ordered the evacuation of an area 5 kilometers around the scene amid fears that thousands of gallons of leaking chemicals could cause more explosions.
Evacuation centers have been set up in a school and a government office for those forced out of their homes.
Volunteer rescue worker Anyawut Phoampai told Thai TV station TPBS that it was slow to find people in the factory.
“We are trying to find the injured,” he said. “But the flames are pretty high, so it takes a lot of effort.” He said rescuers were also roaming the area to help people who were allegedly injured by falling rubble.
So far, 11 injuries have been reported, including one serious, and people have been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The fire department said hours after the blast that it was being considered under control, but that the fire had not yet been completely extinguished, with one warehouse still in flames.
There was no immediate word on the fire in Bang Phli district, and the company was not reachable by telephone.
Local media reported that the initial explosion shook the terminal building in Suvarnabhumi and set off alarms at the main international airport in Bangkok.
Airport officials said no flights were canceled but offered no other immediate details.
Source: Telangana Today