Fire Engulfs PVC Plant in Rayong

RAYONG, Sept 23 (TNA) – A fire broke out at a Thai Plastics and Chemicals plant in the Map Ta Phut industrial estate in Rayong province on Sunday, sending a plume of black smoke into the sky. Authorities ordered the evacuation of nearby residents as a precautionary measure.

The blaze erupted at the plant's PVC resin production unit, according to local officials. Initial reports suggested a possible explosion preceded the fire. Firefighters from nearby municipalities rushed to the scene to contain the flames.

Vasawat Jancharoen, a production engineer at the plant, said the fire originated in the vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) unit, a key component in PVC production. The plant was operating normally at the time of the incident, and no injuries were reported.

The company has notified the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate Authority to coordinate the evacuation of residents within the smoke-affected area. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Officials from the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) said the initial investigation indicated a leak in the PVC production process. The IEAT has dispatched teams to monitor air quality in the surrounding communities and reported that readings were within safe limits.

Industry Minister Akanat Promphan said air quality has returned to normal and that IEAT officials and company representatives are working to assess the situation and provide assistance to affected residents.