A pick-up truck carrying dozens of paint thinner bottles sparked panic among residents after bursting into flames near homes in Thailand.

The raging blaze swallowed the blue Toyota truck loaded with solvent bottles beside a road in Nakhon Sawan province on May 23.

Strong winds fanned the flames, which also spread to a two-storey wooden house.

Six firetrucks were deployed to the scene. However, firefighters said they faced difficulties due to the substantial amount of fuel and thinner from the truck.

The fire was brought under control in 45 minutes.

After the scene was cleared for safety, Mueang Nakhon Sawan district police officers conducted an inspection and found that the inferno had ripped through the house containing four room units. They said the building had suffered 'extensive damaged and was completely burnt'.

There were no reported casualties as the rooms were vacant during the fire.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Seksan Sukkasem of the Mueang Nakhon Sawan Police said: 'We have initiated an investigation to find the truck's driver. Witnesses said he looked to be in his early 20s, and had abandoned the truck after it caught fire.'

It is unclear if the driver had intentionally started the fire. Officials said they will take legal action against him once he is caught.

Onlooker Khun Bass said: 'I was driving through the area and was shocked when I saw the truck burning next to the road. People told me it was carrying old fuel which caused the fire to grow massive.'