The cost of the fire that destroyed the Heng Heng Mattress Factory in Meanchey district's Boeung Tompun I commune in the capital on Friday could be as high as $3 million, Phnom Penh Municipal Governor Khuong Sreng said on Sunday.

Firefighters in 45 engines fought the blaze for hours using 261 water trucks before it was brought under control, but two buildings – one six-storey and one four – were razed to the ground.

National Committee for Disaster Management first vice-president Kun Kim, who led firefighters in the operation, told The Post on Sunday that the blaze had been brought under control before it spread to other properties.

The fire-damaged buildings were being torn down to prevent their collapse.