Fires killed or injured 25 people while also damaging 300 houses and 38 market stalls in the first three months of this year, according to data from the National Police’s Department of Fire Prevention, Extinguishing and Rescue.
The report shows that there were 186 fires that broke out, a decrease of 52 cases compared to the same period in 2021.
However, 10 people were killed and 15 injured in the first three months of this year, which is four more than the totals from the previous year of four deaths and 17 injuries.
According to the same data, the cause of the fires was mostly electrical faults and the careless use of stoves and candles.
Department director Neth Vantha told The Post on April 19 that among the capital and provinces with the most cases, Phnom Penh still ranks first with the highest number of fatalities and injuries during this period.
Siem Reap came second with three deaths and two injuries, followed by Kratie with two deaths and two injuries; Kampong Speu and Kampong Cham, each with one death and one injury; and Kandal withtwo injuries but no deaths.
“In the first quarter of 2022, there were 35 fires in Phnom Penh, killing three people and injuring seven others while damaging 149 houses and two stalls,” he said.
Vantha said he considered Kampong Thom and Kep to be model provinces where no fires occurred in the first quarter of this year.
However, he urged the public and municipal and provincial authorities to pay more attention to fire safety and prevent any type of fire from occurring in their communities, because it will endanger lives and cause the loss of property.
According to Vantha, fires cause between 50 and 60 deaths or injuries each year and destroy hundreds of homes, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage.
