On Monday, large fires broke out at an oily water treatment plant in Chonburi, producing deadly black smoke that forced 300 pupils to leave a nearby school.
At 10 a.m. on Monday, fires started in two treatment ponds at the Payon Marine Services Co. Ltd. facility in Tambon Bueng, Si Racha district.
Firefighters were still battling the other flames as of the time of publication, despite having put out the fire at one treatment pond.
High above the treatment plant, black smoke from the fires could be seen, and two kilometers distant, a noxious odor could be smelled.
School evacuated as Chonburi oily water treatment plant fire rages
Residents and 299 kids from the adjoining Ban Wang Khor School were rescued to leave by rescuers from the neighborhood Peaw Yeang Tai Si Racha foundation.
Before parents picked them up, the students congregated in the school’s main hall.
Educator Porntip Pongklud, 58, claimed to have observed smoke rising toward the school from the fires. When she heard the sound of explosions, she initially assumed it was coming from bonfires.
According to the website for Payon Marine Services, the business provides a one-stop solution for disposing of garbage, sludge, and oily water, including transportation by barge and truck to the treatment facility.
