The fire at Win Process Co's chemical waste storage plant in Rayong has not been completely put out despite efforts by the authorities. Smouldering remains triggered a second blaze, according to Paradon Thanasuntorn, chair of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Volunteer Network in Ban Khai district.
Aluminium dross stored inside the plant has been burning continually since the blaze broke out two weeks ago, he said.
Worse, dangerous chemical substances at the plant have yet to be moved away as demanded by locals, and the soil around the plant was badly polluted, reports said.
The firm's chemical plant is in Ban Nong Pawa village of tambon Bang But, in Ban Khai district.
The latest blaze broke out yesterday morning, Mr Paradon said. The temperature at the plant measured 1,000 degrees Celsius amid the heat, he said.
He added that many agencies had withdrawn their manpower from the site because they did not have a budget for the expensive chemicals required to put out the fire.
Mr Paradon said he did not know who would be responsible for sourcing such chemicals, and the fire must, in turn, be left burning until it stops by itself.
He also said the Provincial Administrative Organization found the soil around the plant was polluted by chemicals.
Staff were digging holes around it to prevent polluted rainwater from flowing into a pond located in the area.
In addition to the toxic waste stored at the plant in Ban Khai, similar chemicals belonging to Win Process have been found at a warehouse in Map Ta Phut in Rayong's Muang district.
The authorities have charged the company with damage to property and lives by recklessness or negligence.
The fire and explosions started at the industrial waste warehouse belonging to Win Process Co at 9am on April 22.
On that day, residents were immediately relocated to Wat Nong Phawa in Ban Khai as a precaution due to the chemicals left at the site. No casualties were reported.