SAMUT PRAKAN: A fire broke out at a paint-mixing factory belonging to a company in Bang Phli district of this coastal Central province on Saturday. Two firefighters and two employees of the company were injured.
Pol Maj Sithipong Panthaiwong, a Bang Phli police duty officer, said about 10 fire engines from Bang Phli Yai tambon administration organisation and nearby municipalities were dispatched to the factory in Soi Wong Phet in tambon Bang Phli Yai after the fire occurred at about 11am.
On arrival at the scene, firefighters found flames engulfing the two-storey building where large quantities of paints and highly inflammable chemicals were stored.
As firefighters were inside the building trying to douse the fire, an explosion occurred, causing a chemical fire that injured two of them along with two factory employees.
The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they were later declared out of danger.
The fire was brought under control in about an hour.
Veesuda Roongruang, chairwoman of the Bang Phli Yai tambon administration organisation, said her office would check with the Industrial Works Department to find out whether the company had properly obtained a permit to use the building as a factory.
The Pollution Control Department would be asked to send officials to examine whether the fire had caused any health hazards or environmental impacts.