A bus was gutted by a fire after its engine exploded as it travelled through Kampong Thom’s Stung Sen district at about midnight on Monday night, remarkably leaving none of the 20 passengers aboard with any injuries.

Nhem Chhunly, Stung Sen district police chief, said the Paramount Angkor Express Co Ltd bus was travelling to Siem Reap when fire engulfed it, triggering the electrics to ignite and its tyres to explode.

He said all those on board managed to quickly escape, though goods and luggage were less fortunate, which the company would have to pay for through its insurance.