Battle to save fire-threatened refugee camp

A forest fire raged through the vast compound of Umpiem Refugee Camp in Tak's Phop Phra district on Wednesday, reportedly destroying more than 100 shacks in the camp.

"We are trying to control the blaze," Phop Phra district chief Poj Rhuroranan said.

As of press time, there was no report of injuries or deaths. However, the fire was clearly spreading through the forestland in which the camp is located. A number of refugees, young and old, have fled.

"We believe the fire erupted out of dry leaves and dry weather," Poj said, "But we are going to investigate further to determine its cause".

Located in a remote corner of Phop Phra district, the Umpiem Refugee Camp called on the help of fire trucks from other areas.

The Umpiem Refugee Camp accommodates more than 15,000 refugees, most of them Karenethnic and Burmese, who have sought refuge at the camp to escape fighting in their homelands.

During the dry season, forest fires often break out in the area. They are blamed for smoke problems and air pollution in many northern provinces.