A devastating fire erupted at a tissue paper mill located in the industrial estate of Saraburi’s Nong Khae district, resulting in the deaths of at least eight individuals, with two others still missing as of the latest reports.
The inferno consumed nearly the entire three-storey building, with most of the fatalities found on the second and third floors, which were used as office space.
The fire began shortly after noon on the ground floor, which had been designated for the storage of paper and other flammable substances. Approximately 100 employees were working in the facility when the blaze started.
While most workers were able to evacuate in time, several office employees became trapped on the upper levels of the structure.
Firefighters battled the flames for hours but were initially unable to enter the site due to intense heat and a roof collapse. It wasn’t until around 9 p.m. that rescue teams gained access to the interior.
The first body was recovered from the ground floor, followed by two more from the second floor and five others from the third floor.
Authorities noted that the fire spread rapidly due to the presence of highly flammable materials. The structure’s closed design, restricted airflow, and the collapsed roof complicated the firefighting operations.
By 10 p.m., the fire was partially under control, though crews continued dousing the area to prevent reignition from debris and to reduce residual heat.