Bulldozers and dump trucks rumbled Sunday over the blackened site of the huge fire in Chamkar Mon district that left 2,700 people homeless 10 days ago.
City workers scooped fire debris onto trucks, while others smoothed fresh soil over the scarred ground as they rushed to turn the fire site into a long-planned city park.
That means demolishing not only the burned structures, but a number of buildings around the site that survived the blaze.
Those buildings buzzed with activity Sunday, as shop owners rushed to complete orders or salvage what they could before the wrecking crews turn to them.
Y Bunna watched the action from his shop just south of the burned area. “They told me on Friday that I would have to go live near Pochentong Airport,” said the father of two.
“I have to go, because I have no choice—but I don’t know if I can make a living out there.”
Y Bunna said he does not know when he will have to leave, but it is clear that it will be soon. His wife, Sao Chan On, said she is very worried about what will happen to her family.
“We just want the government to build us a suitable house, with running water, electricity and a toilet,” she said. “And my children need to go to school.”
The government has relocated 620 burned-out families to Chumrup, 20 km outside Phnom Penh off National Route 4. Kuoch Chamroeun, the district’s deputy governor, said the city wants to move another 220 families, and 115 of them already have agreed to go.
Those living in buildings scheduled for demolition said Sunday they do not know if they will be compensated for the loss of their homes and businesses.
Nhem Saran, director of the city’s Department of Public Works and Transport, said Sunday he is not sure about compensation, but he said the city will provide water and electricity at the new village, which can support about 1,000 families.
