Some minor explosions went off yesterday at an old military primer-making facility in Ayutthaya; however, there were no injuries, and a number of small fires were quickly extinguished, according to the Royal Thai Army’s Ordnance Department.
The fire department in tambon Ban Koh municipality in Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya district was alerted to the incident at around midday after witnesses heard explosions at the factory.
However, after being prohibited from entering the premises, civilians in the surrounding area as well as journalists were left to observe events from afar.
Col Itsaret Sila-ngam, director of the department, later told reporters the explosions and fires were outside an old building which was due to be renovated.
About three to four explosions occurred after about 25 kilogrammes of concentrated nitric acid was moved from the building to be buried, he said.
The high temperatures were believed to have sparked chemical reactions which triggered the blasts, said Maj Gen Sirichan Nga-thong, deputy army spokeswoman.
The fires continued for about 15 minutes before they were extinguished, she said, adding that the incident had not impacted the surrounding communities.
Manot Chanket, head of Moo 2 village in tambon Ban Koh who witnessed the incident, said he had learned previously that the factory near where the explosions took place would soon be renovated, which explained why chemicals which usually were kept inside needed to be moved away.
Sali Maksap, another eyewitness, said he heard what sounded like a gusty wind which was followed by thick white smoke bursting into the air in a mushroom-like shape.