Fire razing 400 rai of plantations

A fire continues to raze rubber and eucalyptus plantations in Chachoengsao on Saturday night. (Photo by Sonthanaporn Inchan)

CHACHOENGSAO: A fire has broken out and razed about 400 rai of rubber and eucalyptus plantations in Sanam Chai Khet district of this eastern province near Bangkok, prompting an urgent meeting of official concerned to work out a plan to control the fire.

The blaze started at about 9.50pm on Saturday at a spot yet to be determined and spread to rubber and eucalyptus plantations covering more than 400 rai in Nong Ket, Thung Khrok and Khlong Toey villages in tambon Tha Kradan.

As of 11.30am on Sunday, the fire was still spreading beyond control.

Deputy Chachoengsao governor Prasong Khongkhaoroptham called an urgent meeting with Varaporn Siriwong, the Sanam Chai Khet district chief, as well as the chief of the provincial natural resources and environment office and forestry officials, to draft a plan to control the fire. They feared it could worsen the ongoing air pollution in the capital city and its vicinities.

Fire trucks from the Sanam Chai Khet Municipality and other local administrations in the area have been deployed to combat the raging fire.