Workers scramble over fences running for their lives as a huge fire rips through a roast chicken factory in Thailand this morning.

Smoke was seen coming from an unmanned room where the chicken was being processed 10.25am local time in Korat, Thailand.

Staff in white hygiene suits and masks fled for their lives - telling officials people were ''stomping on top of each other'' to escape the blaze.

Fire crews arrived, but as of 1.30pm local time the flames were still raging as engines battled to contain the blaze.

Onlooker Nop Apidach who recorded a video of the panic said: ''This is a really big fire. It's so scary. I hope everybody is safe.''

Wichan Chanthanon, Governor of the Nakhon Ratchasima province, said fire engines were still unable to control the fire some three hours later.

He said: ''Many patients have been taken to hospital with smoke inhalation symptoms.

''The fire started in the electric chicken grill in the roast chicken department. There were 20 people working there.

''The staff saw the flames spread quickly and ran away. They were stomped and many were injured, some also the smoke.''

The fire broke out at the Vanguard Foods factory which processes chicken to be sent abroad for use in food.