The Ministry of Interior has requested funds from China and the national budget to buy more than 70 firetrucks to help fight fires across the country.

Sous Angkear, national deputy police chief, said yesterday that the trucks would be sent to various provinces to ensure they can reach blazes in the least amount of time.

"We will buy more than 70 fire engines to spread across different provinces such as Kandal, Kampong Speu and Kampong Chhnang, so we won't keep the fire engines in only one place."

Angkear said the ministry will expand hiring and build more stations as well, and cautioned the populace to stay safe.

"I want to appeal to all people in Cambodia to be careful with fire. They have to put out their incense sticks, candles and gas in order to avoid [accidentally starting a fire]."

According to the Ministry of Interior, there are more than 200 firetrucks – both public and private – in Cambodia.