Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Blaze brings 20 fire trucks to Phnom Penh SEZ

Blaze brings 20 fire trucks to Phnom Penh SEZ

Firefighters battle a blaze at an under construction building at Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone yesterday. Photo supplied
Firefighters battle a blaze at an under construction building at Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone yesterday. Photo supplied

Blaze brings 20 fire trucks to Phnom Penh SEZ

A large building being constructed inside Phnom Penh’s Special Economic Zone caught fire at about 12pm yesterday, sending smoke visible for kilometres billowing into the air and bringing 20 fire engines to the scene, municipal fire department officials said.

About 40 metres by 70 metres of the building in Por Sen Chey district was on fire, said Prom Yorn, director of the municipal fire department, who added that authorities contained the blaze in about an hour.

Net Vutha, director of the Interior Ministry’s fire department, described the damage as minimal, adding that no one was hurt in the fire as it began during lunchtime when workers were outside the building.

“Only the wood and plastic pieces were burnt and the building is intact, with just some smoke stains on the wall,” Vutha said.

But one female firefighter fainted from the smoke, he added, saying she regained consciousness immediately after a medical rescue team came to assist her.

Officials have yet to identify the cause of the blaze, according to Yorn, but some workers on the construction site said they suspect the fire began when sparks fell on pieces of wood and plastic that were scattered around the building.

Attempts to reach PPSEZ representatives yesterday to identify the owner of the building were unsuccessful.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Newest horror film showcases unique Khmer culture, identity

    At first glance, the trailer to new horror sensation The Ritual: Black Nun looks like a western-produced feature film. As the story reveals itself to the viewers, it becomes clearer that this is a Khmer film, with a strong Cambodian identity and close links to

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the