Residents in Bangkok’s Lat Krabang district were warned on Tuesday to avoid the area around a furniture warehouse that was destroyed by fire, as carcinogenic substances were detected in the air within a 700-metre radius of the site.
Industry Minister Akanat Promphan said the hazardous fumes likely stem from burnt plastic pellets stored in the building. He noted that extinguishing the fire required foam rather than water due to the nature of the materials involved.
Nearby communities had already been evacuated after the fire broke out on Sunday evening. The two-storey building, located on Chalong Krung 55 Road, is owned by Siam House and Home Co. and was officially registered as a warehouse.
Officials are now investigating whether furniture production was illegally conducted on the premises. If confirmed, the violation could carry a prison sentence of up to two years.
As of Tuesday, the site continued to emit smoke, with authorities urging people to steer clear and avoid breathing the surrounding air for the next three to five days.
Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich also confirmed that the lingering smoke was caused by plastic pellets still burning in the warehouse basement.
Environmental and health specialist Sonthi Kotchawat warned on social media that black smoke and gases released by the blaze could contain several known carcinogens, including dioxins, furans, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Lat Krabang district chief Tharapong Phetkong reported that the fire had been brought under control, and firefighters were working to fully extinguish it later on Tuesday.
He added that water used in the firefighting effort was being contained to prevent contamination of public water sources.
