A fire destroyed a car part painting factory and caused an estimated 3,000 USD worth of damage in eastern Thailand on Friday.

The blaze broke out at the Supavut Industry Co., Ltd warehouse in Chonburi province before dawn on January 6.

More than 100 firefighters and 20 fire trucks tackled the inferno and brought it under control before it could ignite containers of flammable paint and thinners in the premises where automotive parts are painted.

The factory manufactures car and motorcycle parts for several auto makers in Thailand. There are five buildings housed in the 20-rai fire site.

The rising plumes of smoke blanketed nearby neighbourhoods and caused panic among residents, who feared the fumes could harm their health.

Officers also found 20 cylinders of liquefied petroleum gas, and a fuel tank containing some 15,000 litres of oil at the scene.

The fire was brought under control at 6:15 am, the local fire department said.

Banglamung District Chief Pisit Sirisawadinukul said: 'We are still checking the area for possible oil pits and LPG tank locations. The building will be temporarily closed while investigations are ongoing.'

He added that the damage caused by the fire is estimated to be at around 100 million THB (roughly 3,000 USD).

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.