8 killed, 26 injured as paper factory burns in Thailand

A massive blaze broke out in a tissue paper mill at an industrial estate in Saraburi, Thailand killed at least eight people, with two others still unaccounted for.

At least 26 workers were reported to have been injured as the fire started at around 11.50am on Monday on the ground floor, which was used to store paper and other flammable materials. 

Around 100 workers were present at the time, and the fire destroyed almost the three-storey facility, according to Thai PBS World.

Firefighters took several hours to bring the blaze under control, and the rescue teams were able to gain access to the building until around 9pm due to flames and a collapsed roof.

Police said the fire spread rapidly because of the highly flammable raw materials. The closed structure, limited ventilation and collapsed roofing made firefighting efforts even more difficult.

(Bangkok Post and Thai PBS World)

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