The sight of firemen tirelessly dousing water on the charred shell of a hazardous chemical container at the Laem Chabang port, located in the Si Racha district of Chon Buri, was a vivid reminder of the challenges they face. This incident, which occurred on a Tuesday, was captured in a striking photograph by Pongpat Wongyala.
A container filled with hazardous chemicals sparked a fire at the Laem Chabang port in Chon Buri province. This alarming incident led to the rapid evacuation of 183 diligent warehouse workers. Unfortunately, six of them suffered from respiratory difficulties due to smoke inhalation. The fire took hold in the JWD warehouse, situated in the Thung Sukhla region of Si Racha district, sending up plumes of ominous black smoke. Thanks to the swift action of the firefighters, the inferno was tamed within about half an hour.
According to Health permanent secretary Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the fire ignited around 10 am in a shipping container located at JWD Co.’s dangerous goods warehouse. This specific container was storing a shipment of organic peroxides, a highly flammable compound. This intimidating stash was neatly packed into 378 wardrobe boxes that each weighed around 18 kg.
The fire emitted a potent scent, prompting the firemen to employ water to deter the spreading of the fumes to surrounding areas. This quick thinking helped to rapidly contain the flames. Following this, an evacuation was initiated, moving 183 workers out of the impacted area. Six of these individuals were identified with breathing difficulties and were provided first aid before being transferred to a nearby medical facility for further treatment.
Health officials also ran a screening for 54 workers who were confined to an area under observation and a further 23 in the car park. They found no abnormal symptoms among them. Further health checks were also conducted for locals residing in communities within five kilometers of the incident. These checks also reported no anomalies, as confirmed by Dr. Opas.
In total, 100 N95 grade masks were promptly distributed to workers in the affected region. The local leaders were directed to instruct residents to don face masks consistently and stay vigilant to any possible symptoms. The authorities also requested locals to immediately inform local leaders and health volunteers if they experienced any symptoms, who would then facilitate a transfer to the Laem Chabang Hospital.
Chon Buri governor Thawatchai Srithong, accompanied by officials, arrived at the scene at around 2:45 pm and received a comprehensive briefing. Organic peroxides, the cause of the fire, are commonly used in polymer production. These polymers are employed to create a vast array of products we use every day, ranging from sport apparel like running shoes to everyday items like buttons. This compound, however, is highly combustible, posing a significant safety risk in situations such as these.
Be First to Comment