Residents return as toxic fumes from factory dissipate

Burnt and blackened: A firefighter walking past the charred structure of the chemical factory in Samut Prakan, Bangkok. — AP

EVACUATED residents warily began returning to their homes on Bangkok’s outskirts after a chemical factory went up in flames earlier this week, as experts called for air and water to be thoroughly tested for any lingering toxic chemicals.One firefighter died and at least 33 people were injured in Monday’s blaze at Ming Dih Chemical.

A storage tank containing styrene monomer, used to produce polystyrene foam, exploded and caused the fire. Styrene can be deadly if ignited and mixed into the air.