Moment blast rips through couple's home as they watch TV when chemical factory explodes in Bangkok wounding 60 people and killing one

 This is the horrifying moment a chemical factory on the outskirts of Bangkok exploded, ripping through a couple's apartment as they relaxed on the sofa. 

The pair, who do not wish to be named, were watching a film in their apartment in the early hours of Monday, July 5 in the Samut Prakan province of Thailand when the blast rocked their building.

The explosion near Bangkok's international airport left Taiwan-owned Ming Dih Chemical Co in flaming ruins, with an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter dead and more than 60 people injured. 

Toxic plumes of smoke polluted the sky and more than 1,800 people had to be evacuated from within a three-mile radius of the factory, according to officials. CCTV footage captures the moment the living room doors of the home in Bangkok were shattered by shock waves

CCTV footage captures the moment the living room doors of the home in Bangkok were shattered by shock waves

The blast erupting outside the couple's building (top left). It sent razor sharp shards of glass flying through the air

The blast erupting outside the couple's building (top left). It sent razor sharp shards of glass flying through the air

The blast rips through the apartment as the pair lie on the sofa and watch a film at 3am on Monday, July 5

The blast rips through the apartment as the pair lie on the sofa and watch a film at 3am on Monday, July 5

CCTV footage captures the exact moment the living room doors were shattered by shock waves, sending razor sharp shards of glass flying through the air.

The married couple were hospitalised in the wake of the blast, and were treated for cuts and bruises after the accident.  

The husband said: 'I just want everyone to know that I am safe. We were both injured but we are alive. 

'The house can be repaired, that's no problem. We're relieved to be alive.' 

The couple can be clearly see watching television in the living room at around 3am. 

The explosion occurred in the early hours of the morning at Taiwan-owned Ming Dih Chemical Co., located on the outskirts of Bangkok near Suvarnabhumi Airport

The explosion near Bangkok's international airport left a chemical factory in flaming ruin, while an 18-year old volunteer firefighter died and more than 60 others were left injured

The explosion near Bangkok's international airport left a chemical factory in flaming ruin, while an 18-year old volunteer firefighter died and more than 60 others were left injured

After approximately a minute into the footage, the serene setting is abruptly ended as an explosion rips through their apartment building.

As the boom of the blast subsides the audio is cut off. Later in the clip, an external shot of the apartment can be seen.

A bright light temporarily illuminates the night sky, and a deafening bang is heard as the explosion takes place just a stone's throw away from the house.The camera shakes violently as shock waves shatter the glass doors and send plants tumbling to the floor. 

Outside, heavy plumes of black smoke could be seen rising to the sky from the city's downtown 21 miles away, and by early evening the dark clouds had shrouded the Thai capital. 

In addition to the casualties, officials said the initial explosion also damaged about 100 houses and 15 cars. The cause of the incident is still unknown.  

Rescue workers drove around surrounding neighbourhoods in emergency vans, telling people via loudspeakers to leave for their safety.A firefighting helicopter works to extinguish a plastic factory after an explosion in Samut Prakan, outside Bangkok, Thailand July 5

A firefighting helicopter works to extinguish a plastic factory after an explosion in Samut Prakan, outside Bangkok, Thailand July 5

Toxic fumes polluted the sky as more than 1,800 people had to be evacuated from within a 3 mile radius of the factory, according to officials

Toxic fumes polluted the sky as more than 1,800 people had to be evacuated from within a 3 mile radius of the factory, according to officials

Some, fearful of another explosion, had already packed their belongings in backpacks and waited outside their homes to be picked up by organised vans.

On Tuesday, Attapol Charoenchansa, who heads the country's pollution control department, said teams were testing the air quality and water in the area of the factory, and were considering narrowing the evacuation zone to allow some residents to return home.

He cautioned, however, that if the forecast rain comes, it could wash the chemicals into water sources, which would be difficult to control.

Black plumes of smoke rises from the chemical factory after the explosion in Samut Prakan, Thailand

Black plumes of smoke rises from the chemical factory after the explosion in Samut Prakan, Thailand

In addition to the casualties, officials said the initial explosion also damaged about 100 houses and 15 cars. The cause of the incident is still unknown. Pictured: The wreckage after the blast

In addition to the casualties, officials said the initial explosion also damaged about 100 houses and 15 cars. The cause of the incident is still unknown. Pictured: The wreckage after the blast

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said he had ordered authorities to gather as much information as possible on the extent of contamination to soil, ground water, the city's drinking water and air so as to 'mitigate the health impact in both the short and long term.'

'Although the fire is under control, our work has not yet been completed,' he said in a statement posted on Facebook.

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