Two Fires Erupt Simultaneously in Same Phnom Penh District, Suspected Electrical Fault

Two fires broke out simultaneously in Phnom Penh's Dangkao district around noon on the 11th. Both incidents occurred at the same time and date within the same district, and are believed to have the same cause: an electrical short circuit. One fire affected a residential house, while the other involved a utility pole and electrical wires. Prompt reporting by nearby residents and swift action by the fire department prevented significant spread. The first incident occurred at a concrete house (4 meters wide by 16 meters long) in Borey Lach Kong, Sambour village, Dangkao district. The owner, a 44-year-old Cambodian woman who sells solar lamps, lost approximately 100 solar lamps, one air conditioner, over $400 in cash, and other household items. The owner was reportedly in Takeo province at the time of the fire and the house was locked. Neighbors noticed smoke emanating from the house and alerted authorities. Due to the close proximity of other houses, there was a significant risk of the fire spreading. Firefighters arrived, forced entry into the locked house, and extinguished the blaze. Almost simultaneously, a fire erupted at a utility pole and its electrical wires along Route Leu 217, near Sambour Meas Pagoda in Sambour village. This pole was situated close to a villager's roof, and the flames were considerable. Residents attempted initial firefighting with extinguishers and requested the electricity authority to cut off the power supply. After the power was shut down, fire trucks arrived and extinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading to adjacent homes. Both fires are suspected to have originated from electrical short circuits, highlighting the importance of electrical safety management within Phnom Penh. Source: Koh Santepheap Khmer