SAMUT PRAKAN — A fire gutted a compressed natural gas (CNG) mother station in Bang Phli district in the early hours of Tuesday. No injuries were reported.
The fire broke out at a large gas dispensing station belonging to Venus Logistics Co, opposite Wat King Kaew in tambon Racha Thewa, about 2.30am, police said.
It is sited on 10 rai of land behind a PTT gas pump.
Ten fire trucks and crews were deployed to fight the blaze, which quickly engulfed the platform and equipment and spread to the roof, police said.
Fire crews battled for about an hour before finally bringing the flames under control, to the great relief of nearby residents.
A police investigation found the fire started while compressed gas was being pumped into large tanks mounted on a trailer truck for delivery to CNG outlets. A worker immediately closed the gas valve, preventing a major conflagration, and alerted police.
Investigators said sparks from a worn-out motor pump on the gas platform might have started the fire. Forensic officers were assisting police in the investigation. Damage was still being estimated.