Authorities have declared the area surrounding the fire-damaged Khlong Thom Centre building a restricted fire zone as they move in to dismantle debris.
The Pomprap Sattruphai district office said on Wednesday the fire and smoke at the site had been completely extinguished.
Authorities will now begin dismantling debris and opening up the area using heavy machinery and steel-cutting equipment, while taking precautions to prevent unstable structures from shifting or collapsing.
Officials from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation are cutting through damaged steel and structural debris to clear access for forensic officers investigating the blaze’s cause and origin. Particular attention is being focused on Block 5, Zone C, and areas where multiple layers of steel structures have collapsed on top of one another.
The district office has issued orders under the Building Control Act declaring the fire site and surrounding area within a 30-metre radius a restricted zone for 45 days from the date of the fire. Owners, occupants and other stakeholders must cooperate with officials conducting structural safety inspections.
Officials said much of the remaining debris consisted of electronic waste, requiring strict controls during removal and disposal to prevent hazardous chemicals from leaking into surrounding communities.
Forensic investigators continue to search for the fire’s point of origin and determine its cause, with authorities considering all possibilities, including an electrical short circuit or deliberate action.
Police have cordoned off the site and are preventing unauthorised people from entering, while police are guarding access points to maintain security and prevent theft.
Meanwhile, 228 people had registered for assistance following the fire as of Tuesday. Of those, 137 had submitted complete documentation. A registration centre at Wat Phra Phiren remains open daily for affected people to submit additional documents.
Environmental officials have also collected samples of residual waste and contaminated firefighting water for laboratory testing. Results are expected within 14 days.