A fire caused by a gas cooker explosion in Chamkar Mon district destroyed approximately 50 houses and injured two people Wednesday afternoon, witnesses said.
Many villagers in Village 4, Phsar Daum Thkow commune, said they lost all of their possessions in the blaze.
“My house completely burned down…I have nothing now,” said Chheng Chanthy, 36, as his wife stood crying, holding their daughter.
Chhen Chanthy said the carelessness of the village’s mostly migrant workers, who didn’t have a stake in the neighborhood, made it easier for the fire to start.
According to Sok Vannra, first deputy chief of the Phnom Penh police fire service, 11 fire trucks arrived 15 minutes after the fire started, but controlling the conflagration was difficult due to the high winds and the fact the houses were crowded together. A doctor with the emergency ambulance said two people suffered burns on their faces and arms.
