Somsak Kaeosena, Bang Phli district officer on Monday said that 20 people were injured in an explosion in a chemical factory in Thailand.

According to him, the explosion rocked the plastic foam-producing factory at around 3:00 a.m. local time in Bang Phli district.

He said that the blast happened in Ming Dih Chemical, a Taiwanese company established in Thailand in 1989.

Kaeosena said that some 20 tons of chemical substances stored in the factory were suspected to have triggered the fire and one Chinese employee was injured in the fire.

“The blast injured at least 20 factory workers and local residents, it brought damage to 10 factories and the residential area nearby.

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“The local government has ordered an evacuation for all residents and businesses in a five-km radius of the plant for fear of hazardous chemical debris and potential further explosions.

“Many residents have been brought to safety and provided temporary shelter at a school in the district and the fire has largely been contained,’’ he said.