PHICHIT: An ice factory in Muang district of this upper Central province was narrowly escaped a raging fire that spread from a rice field to engulf hundreds of car tyres in the compound early on Sunday, police said.
The fire spread from burning stubble in an adjacent rice field into Tharathip ice factory in tambon Khlong Khu, where hundred of used auto tyres were piled up inside the factory compound.
The tyres went up in flames, sending billowing black smoke over the factory and causing panic among people in the Phichit Municipality.
Water trucks and fire engines from the province's peace-keeping force on standby at the city hall, together with a number of troops and firefighters, were rushed to the ice factory.
They were able to bring the blaze under control shortly afterwards and save the main factory building from being engulfed by the blaze.
There were no casualties. The burning tyres caused severe air pollution, but no other property was damaged.