SAMUT PRAKAN: The fire that had raged through a plastics factory in Bang Phli district since early Monday has been brought under control, but intermittent flare-ups continued through Tuesday morning.
Firefighters continued to spray water and flame retardents on the smoking ruins of the Taiwanese-owned Ming Dih Chemical Co foam and plastic pellets factory.
Rescures said on Tuesday the fire was declared under control about 5am, more than 24 hours after a huge explosion started the blaze at the factory in Soi King Kaew 21.
Flames continued to erupt intermittently.
The inferno razed the factory. One firefighter was caught in a surge of flames from a store of chemicals and killed. Another 12 volunteer firefighters and 33 other people were injured. The explosion and fire also damaged 73 houses and 15 cars in the surrounding community.
About 1,900 residents of houses within a five-kilometre radius were evacuated on Monday to eight temporary shelters. They were warned the smoke and fumes were toxic. On Tuesday morning, officials said it was still not safe for them to return home.
Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow and Samut Prakan governor Wanchai Kongkasem inspected the fire scene shortly before midnight.
They told reporters the fire was under control after specialist technicians from the PTT OR Plc facility in Si Racha, Chon Buri, were able to close the valves of three remaining tanks of chemicals in the factory complex.
However, about half an hour after midnight the simmering fire erupted again, and firemen resumed spray water and chemical foam on the burning wreckage.