A chemical warehouse exploded sparking evacuations in eastern Thailand on Monday morning.

An inferno broke out at the building owned by Win Process Co in Rayong province at around 9 am on April 22.

Sixteen water tenders, eight ambulances, and around 50 rescue workers were dispatched to battle the flames. However, they had difficulties due to continuous explosions, shifting winds, and the intense heat.

One warehouse collapsed as the fire spread to an adjacent warehouse and approached nearby rubber plantations and houses.

Jaturong Wongsuwan, mayor of the Bang But Subdistrict Administrative Organization where the blaze occurred, said the fire was contained but still burning through the facility storing industrial chemical waste.

It reportedly started in the company's Building 5 containing around 20,000 litres of solvents, and later spread to another warehouse storing contaminated oil.

The Pollution Control Department said that though chemicals can be smelled, the air quality in the vicinty was still at a safe level.

Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry, said Win Process Co's license has been revoked pending prosecution.

He said: 'For those affected by this incident, we opened a temporary shelter and first aid location at Wat Nong Phawa temple.

'One rescue worker was injured in his eye while performing his duty, while two bedridden patients were evacuated to the shelter.

'Meanwhile, 35 residents sought shelter at the Nongbua Subdistrict Administrative Organisation.

'One person suffering from a rash was taken to the Ban Khai Hospital. His condition has improved, but he is still being monitored at the hospital. Four more bedridden patients were also evacuated to three other hospitals.'