SAMUT PRAKAN, April 8 — A new garbage dump fire early this morning brought firefighters to Phraekasa sub district, bringing the blaze under control after four hours, according to the Samut Prakarn disaster agency.
Provincial authorities, meanwhile, said last month’s weeks-long landfill fire here is extinguished.
Disaster chief Pairin Limcharoen said that the second blaze at the Phraekasa garbage dumpsite near Bangpu Industrial Estate broke out at around 4am this morning and extended over one rai of land (about 0.4 acres).
He said the blaze began in the middle of the rubbish dump site, 200 metres from the perimeter. The fire is now under control though it is not entirely put out as firefighters are still unable to reach the heart of the fire. The area remains under close watch.
Samut Prakan Governor, Kanit Iamrahong, meanwhile, said that he had asked the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department to dispatch high-pressure fire extinguishers to speedily extinguish the fire that continued beneath the dump in order to control toxic fumes from affecting nearby communities.
Temporary shelters have been prepared for local residents in case the fire escalates.
Mr Kanit said the fire’s cause is under investigation. He said that the March 16 fire at Phraekasa landfill site has been fully extinguished after a week of extinguishing operations.
