Fire at plastic parts factory in Phitsanulok heavily damages plant; residents fear air pollution

On the morning of Sunday, July 19, 2026, a fire broke out at a plastic parts factory located in a light industrial zone in Nai Mueang subdistrict, Mueang district, Phitsanulok province. Phitsanulok City Municipality firefighters mobilized water trucks and hazardous-material protection equipment and fought the blaze for more than five hours before bringing the situation under control. The building and machinery sustained heavy damage and some sections collapsed, allowing the fire to spread to nearby raw material storage areas.

A preliminary inspection by the fire station indicates the cause was probably an electrical short circuit at a metal-joining point on the production line during the night, which allowed the fire to spread while no staff were on site. Although the factory had fire-prevention measures in place, officials said some systems had not been maintained consistently, which let the fire spread rapidly and made it difficult to control. There were no reported deaths or serious injuries, but several employees were affected by smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital for observation.

Nearby residents and shop owners in the market community behind the factory expressed concern over smoke odors and air pollution. Phitsanulok Provincial Public Health officials quickly measured air quality and concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the surrounding area; initial readings showed elevated levels of particulates and certain gases. They advised people within a one-kilometer radius to avoid outdoor activities and to keep doors and windows closed while awaiting more detailed test results.

The provincial environmental office said it will deploy staff and related agencies to investigate possible chemical contaminants in the smoke to assess risks to groundwater and nearby agricultural areas. Factory management said it would work with its insurer to survey the damage and compensate affected employees, and the plant’s operations have been suspended temporarily until repairs are completed and safety standards are met.

The fire has affected local employment and the downstream supply chain that depends on the factory’s parts. Small vendors and part-time workers who relied on the plant are worried about lost income. The subdistrict administrative organization distributed N95 masks to nearby residents and set up a complaints center for those affected. Authorities expect pollution-prevention assessments and recovery work to take several weeks.

Environmental experts recommended that, following this incident, fire-prevention standards for factories across industrial estates in the province be reviewed and tightened, including electrical system inspections, emergency drills for staff, and pollution-control equipment to protect communities. They also urged local government to communicate risk information transparently to residents and travelers passing through the area to restore confidence and mitigate short-term impacts on tourism.