A fire reportedly caused by an electrical fault engulfed several houses on the morning of April 13 in Boeung Salang commune of Phnom Penh’s Tuol Kork district, according to the National Police.

Prum Yorn, director of the Phnom Penh municipal Department of Fire Prevention, Extinguishing and Rescue, said 19 fire engines and 57 water tankers from the department, and five fire trucks from the Ministry of Interior and Koh Pich City – a development project of the local conglomerate Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC) – were used to put out the fire.

He added that the fire first started at a wooden home before spreading to five other houses, destroying them completely. Firefighters managed to put on the flame before noon, with no casualties reported.

As people continue to travel during the April 14-16 Khmer New Year holiday, Yorn called on people to take precautions by switching off lights, water and put out lit incenses and candles before leaving their home.

The fire department can be reached through the hotline 666 or 097 7333 355.