Saraburi – A devastating fire ripped through a tissue-paper factory in Nong Khae district on Monday, claiming eight lives and leaving at least 26 workers injured, with two still missing as rescue operations continue into the night. The tragedy struck Riverpro Pulp and Paper Co Ltd shortly before noon, sending thick plumes of smoke visible across the industrial zone as flames rapidly engulfed the facility.

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Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as workers scrambled to escape the three-story building, with victims trapped in office areas on the upper floors as exit routes were cut off by the inferno. Firefighters battled the blaze for over seven hours in hazardous, confined conditions before bringing it under control by 6:55 PM. Provincial governor Bancha Chaowarin personally oversaw emergency response efforts, coordinating with specialized rescue units to locate the two missing employees feared buried under debris.

Initial reports suggest the fire originated on the ground floor, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Distraught families gathered near the charred skeleton of the building as forensic teams recovered bodies, while the injured were rushed to multiple hospitals with burns and smoke inhalation.

A massive blaze, which broke out in a tissue paper mill on an industrial estate in Saraburi’s Nong Khae district yesterday, killed at least eight people, with two others still unaccounted for.

The fire destroyed almost the entire three-storey facility. Most of the victims were… pic.twitter.com/SRjxwFm9El

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In a Facebook statement, Riverpro Pulp and Paper expressed profound grief, vowing full cooperation with authorities and support for affected families. “We are devastated by this loss and committed to uncovering how this tragedy occurred,” the company said, praising rescue teams for their exhaustive efforts.

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The incident marks one of Thailand’s worst industrial disasters in recent years, raising urgent questions about workplace safety protocols in manufacturing zones. Labor activists have demanded immediate inspections of similar facilities, while Saraburi officials announced a province-wide safety review.

-Thailand News (TN)