Firefighters were alerted to the fire near the wastewater plant on Soi Thida at 8:27pm tonight (Jan 25), as no less than four firetrucks were dispatched to the scene.
Many local residents in the area surrounding the bypass road – in Kathu, Rassada and Vichit – reported hearing "explosion-like" sounds around the time of the fire.
Some said the sounds resembled fireworks.
It is understood that the fire may have been started by residents trying to "spook cattle". The Phuket News is investigating this claim.
By 10pm, firefighters reported the fire under control and that no one had yet been reported injured, although 20 rai of land had been burnt.
Staff of The Phuket News often report smelling whiffs of burning garbage coming from the area where the fire erupted, but cannot yet verify if there is any connection.