Cops identify rogue fireworks factory boss
7 May 2016 at 04:00 212 viewed0 comments
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Forensic officials pick up evidence strewn across the ground where a house once stood. The house, which was used illegally as a fireworks factory, was blown apart by an explosion which also killed six Myanmar workers in Suphan Buri. Tawatchai Kemgumnerd
SUPHAN BURI: The owner of an illegal fireworks factory that exploded on Thursday night killing six Myanmar employees has been identified and will be summonsed and charged, police said yesterday.
The fatal blast occurred about 9pm near Khlong 19 in tambon Plabplachai, U Thong district police said.
Police, soldiers and rescue workers who rushed to the scene found debris from the wrecked house and human body parts scattered over the area. They said the victims were four men and two women from Myanmar.
Many small, unexploded fireworks were also scattered among the debris.
Identification documents had been found for the six Myanmar workers who were killed. Only three of the victims' remains could be properly identified. All had work permits, Pol Col Chaiwat Thippayachan, deputy chief of Suphan Buri police, said.
The owner of the illegal fireworks factory had been identified as Saitharn Pandee, a Suphan Buri native. He will be summonsed for questioning and charges will be pressed, including the charge of illegally opening a fireworks factory and sheltering migrant workers without permission.
Pol Maj Gen Passornwin Pongpipattarapakhin, chief of Suphan Buri police, said there have been previous explosions at covert firework factories like this in the province.
People who run businesses such as these often hire migrant workers to assemble the fireworks, and frequently shift location to avoid detection.
It was clear the house that exploded was being used as a fireworks factory, he said.
The land and premises are owned by a retired army officer and were being rented out to someone who later used it as a factory to assemble fireworks, said Pol Maj Gen Passornwin.
Authorities were contacting the Myanmar embassy for help to notify the relatives of the victims.
Department of Labour Protection and Welfare chief Pannee Sriyutthasak said related agencies have inspected the blast site and officials are running through labour registration records of the dead workers.
The workers appeared to be unaware that the potassium nitrate they handled, which was used to produce the fireworks, is a dangerous chemical. Under the law, anyone who possesses the substance must declare it to local authorities. However, Ms Pannee said the owner of the factory had failed to make the mandatory declaration.