RATCHABURI, Thailand – A major fire tore through a motorcycle parts manufacturing and distribution factory in Ban Pong early Monday, sending thick black smoke across the sky and prompting authorities to deploy more than 20 fire engines and foam units. The blaze broke out at P.S.P.N. Manufacturing at 159 Saeng Chuto Road in Tha Pha subdistrict, Ban Pong district, Ratchaburi, with flames erupting from a warehouse at the rear of the factory. Firefighters arriving at the scene found the building heavily engulfed, with black smoke rising high above the surrounding area. Crews attacked the fire from several directions to prevent it from spreading to neighbouring properties.
The factory stored large quantities of motorcycle parts, including sprockets and seats, as well as chemical tanks that provided highly combustible material. Firefighters brought in foam-spraying vehicles to tackle areas containing chemical tanks and prevent the flames from intensifying.
More than 20 fire engines and specialist vehicles were deployed from several local authorities, including Tha Pha Municipality, Ban Pong Municipality, Krab Yai, Luk Kae, Don Khamin and Boek Phrai municipalities, along with Lat Bua Khao and Nong Kop subdistrict administrative organisations. Foam equipment from SCGP Ban Pong and firefighters from Ruamjai Karun Charity Foundation Ratchaburi also joined the operation. It took firefighters more than three hours to bring the blaze under control. Crews continued spraying water to prevent hot spots from reigniting. Much of the factory’s roof structure collapsed in the fire, while machinery, equipment and motorcycle parts inside the facility were extensively damaged. The total financial loss has not yet been assessed.
Initial inquiries found that the factory was not operating when the fire started. A security guard stationed at the front of the premises reportedly heard a loud sound resembling a transformer explosion from inside the factory before seeing flames rapidly spreading. The guard immediately alerted authorities and those responsible for the facility. No injuries or deaths were reported. Authorities initially suspect an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire, but investigators will conduct a detailed examination of the scene once it is safe to determine the exact cause. Caption: Thick black smoke rises over Ban Pong after a fire tore through a motorcycle parts factory, with more than 20 fire engines and foam units deployed during the three-hour operation.
