20141112 Thailand Fire hits electronics plant; damage estimated at Bt1 bn
Thailand Nov 11 2014 “Factories”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 1 to 9
Fire hits electronics plant; damage estimated at Bt1 bn
Updated: 2014-11-13-01:00
A BLAZE ravaged the electronic-parts factory of SVI in Pathum Thani province yesterday, causing at least Bt1 billion in damage to the company and posing a health threat to the neighbourhood.
All workers are safe, except two who have been hospitalised with inhalation injuries.
Smoke from the fire spread far, carrying gases that could be harmful to health.
The Phraharuthai Nonthaburi School yesterday allowed its students to leave early out of concern the smoke would reach its compound.
Located in Bangkadi Industrial Estate, the fire-ravaged factory belongs to SVI Public Co. As of press time, thick fumes and smoke continued to billow up as officials poured water on the site. Even after the fire was put out, water was needed to prevent another flare-up.
Pollution Control Department (PCD) deputy director- general Sunee Piyapanpong said her agency was monitoring the situation out of concern that smoke from the fire |contained hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide, from the combustion of electronic parts.
She said exposure to such gas of 1.8 to 11 parts per million (PPM) could cause irritation, and amounts of over 22 PPM could cause serious health effects.
“Water to control the blaze must also receive proper treatment as it may contain contaminants,” Sunee said.
She said the Nawamintharachinuthid Horwang Nonthaburi School had reported the smoke had reached its compound.
The fire broke out at the factory at about 5am yesterday, according to Pak Klong Rangsit Police Station.
Pol Lt-Colonel Chaiyatas Limkul, an inquiry inspector at the station, said he received the fire report and immediately asked agencies to dispatch fire trucks to the scene.
Colonel Somchai Onsomkit, deputy commander of the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, led more than 100 troops to recover items from the factory to help firefighters. More fire trucks could then enter the compound, he said, and 40 joined in the operation.
“The factory was in the process of adding a new structure to its facilities. We believe a spark while welding might have accidentally fallen into a pile of electronic parts and caught fire. We’ll have to investigate further to determine its exact cause,” Chaiyatas said.
According to SVI’s report to the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the fire situation was now under control and it had insurance cover for this accident, including for business interruption.
SVI, a leading electronic components manufacturer, posted a “halt” sign on its shares in the morning session of the SET.
The company’s share price went down 28.60 per cent to Bt4.32 at noon when the company filed the fire situation with the SET.
Websource:The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Fire-hits-electronics-plant;-damage-estimated-at-B-30247625.html