Thailand – Suspicious Fire At Controversial Refinery

Huay Yai police were called out by the local fire brigade on the afternoon of Thursday, 15th January to attend to a fire that had broken out at a petrol refinery unit in Khao Mai Kheow.  It took the team over an hour to control and douse the blaze. 

The investigation began and the primary assumption was that a pipe ruptured from overheating and exploded. 

However, the factory is the centre of a local controversy, as it relocated from nearby Plutaluang in 2013, because of complaints from locals about pollution and odours coming from the refinery. 

Further investigation revealed that the present building has not had permission to operate by the local Administration Office, because of low standards of construction after another fire had occurred a month ago causing serious injuries to a worker.  The company was closed until a license was permitted to reopen. 

The Taiwan owner apparently disregarded the restrictions and opened up regardless. 

The case continues.