A fire that engulfed a tissue paper factory in Saraburi province’s Nong Khae industrial estate on 30 June has left eight people dead, with two others still missing, according to local authorities. The incident began shortly after midday and quickly spread through the three-storey facility, which was nearly entirely destroyed.
The blaze reportedly started on the ground floor, an area used for storing paper and other combustible materials. At the time, approximately 100 workers were inside the factory. While many escaped, several office employees on the second and third floors were unable to evacuate in time and became trapped.
Firefighters encountered significant difficulties in controlling the fire due to the building’s structure, limited ventilation, and flammable materials. A section of the roof also collapsed, delaying rescue efforts. It was not until around 9pm that emergency crews were able to enter the facility and begin searching for victims.
Authorities reported that the first body was recovered on the ground floor, followed by two on the second and five on the third, bringing the confirmed death toll to eight. Efforts to locate the two remaining missing persons are ongoing.
Emergency crews continued to monitor the site into the night to prevent reignition from smouldering debris. Police have indicated that the rapid spread of the fire was due to the presence of highly flammable materials and the design of the facility.
Factory management has stated that employee life and property insurance policies are in place and that compensation will be provided to affected families. Officials and emergency response teams remained at the scene throughout the night to ensure safety and investigate the cause.
