Industrial Waste Landfill Fire in Saraburi Under Control, No Wastewater Leakage Confirmed, Environment Remains Safe
- Kanokwan Olanrungreang
- Apr 14
- 3 min read
The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment has instructed relevant agencies to strictly monitor environmental quality following a fire at Landfill of Better World Green (BWG) in Saraburi, a facility specializing in both hazardous and non-hazardous waste management. The Minister emphasized that all recovery operations must adhere to technical standards to ensure no impact on the environment or public health. Current reports indicate that air quality remains within normal limits. Furthermore, it was disclosed that all water used in firefighting efforts has been contained within the company’s internal treatment system, with zero discharge into the surrounding environment.
On April 14, 2026, a fire broke out at the industrial waste landfill of Better World Green (BWG) in Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province. Relevant agencies collaborated to bring the situation under control. However, a flare-up occurred on the morning of April 15, 2026. Firefighters and related agencies have since successfully extinguished the fire, with no reports of it spreading to neighboring areas.
The Pollution Control Department (PCD) deployed Gasmet vapor analyzers to detect key gases in downwind areas, including Sulfur Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Monoxide, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). While overall air quality remained within normal limits, Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) was detected at several points with levels near the exposure limit, ranging from 1.42–1.89 ppm. These levels may cause minor irritation or discomfort if exposed over a long period. Consequently, residents were advised in downwind areas to temporarily evacuate to upwind locations to minimize chemical exposure. Following an update on April 16, air quality measurements at all six downwind monitoring stations confirmed that levels no longer exceed safety standards. [1]
BWG operates as a factory type 101 and 105 , engaged in centralized waste treatment, the landfilling of hazardous waste, and the sorting and landfilling of non-hazardous materials in Huai Haeng Subdistrict, Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province. Following an investigation by relevant authorities, the fire was found to have originated in the hazardous waste landfill section. The fire burned through the High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) liners used to cover the landfill, damaging approximately 30% of the total landfill area.
BWG issued a statement regarding the incident, clarifying that the fire originated in a temporary landfill area, which is physically separated from the daily industrial waste disposal zone. The company identified the cause of the fire as a short circuit in the deodorizing spray pump system. This point combined with extreme heat and strong winds, caused the flames to spread rapidly across the HDPE cover material. Upon assessment, the company confirmed that the damage was confined strictly to the cover material. The industrial waste landfill remains safe and unaffected, as the waste had undergone stabilization and compaction before being covered with soil and temporary liners in accordance with standards. Furthermore, there were no injuries reported resulting from the incident. [2]
However, the Department of Industrial Works (DIW) has issued an order under Section 39, Paragraph One of the Factory Act B.E. 2535 (1992), ordering BWG to immediately cease the acceptance of waste in the hazardous waste landfill and suspend related operations until all improvements are completed. The company is required to conduct a damage assessment and repair or replace the damaged landfill covers to ensure safety in accordance with authorized standards and conditions. Additionally, the Saraburi Provincial Industry Office has issued an order under Section 37, Paragraph One, directing the company to develop and review fire prevention and suppression measures covering all high-risk areas. The company must also update its emergency response, and prevention plans to reflect current circumstances and submit a comprehensive damage assessment report by April 30, 2026. [3]
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