Two garment workers died early yesterday when a fire tore through their rental room in the capital’s Dangkor district, police said. A third worker was rescued from the blaze.

Duong Sokha, a district councillor, said the two women, Pich Theary, 22, and Srey Pov, 23, both employees of the Tak Saing garment factory in Kampong Speu, died at about 12:20am.

“They were sleeping when the fire razed their rental room,” he said.

Hang Panha, 32, the landlord’s son, entered the room of the wooden building to try to rescue the two women, but was unsuccessful, Sokha said.

Panha, whose back was badly burned in the blaze, was able to save another woman, nicknamed Savy, 21, who stayed nearby.

Panha was yesterday being treated for his burns in Calmette Hospital.

Chheng Sreyboth, the owner of the building in Kraing Pongro commune, witnessed the fire.

The victims, she said, had gone to enjoy the Water Festival earlier in the night, returning home without incident at about 9pm.

“But at about 12:20, we noticed fire coming from their room. I tried to wake them up and shouted to the neighbours for help,” she said.

“My son and I tried to save them, but it was impossible because the blaze was so big.”

Commune police chief Mao Sophon said authorities were investigating the cause of the fire.

“We have not yet established how it started,” he said.

“But initial investigations suggest that there may have been a gas explosion at the sight, because we found several pieces of gas cans.”

Sophon said the two victims’ remains – which had been burned beyond recognition – have been sent to their families in preparation for funerals.