Phnom Penh House Fire Suspected Due to Unattended Incense

Around 12:20 PM on July 22, 2026, a residential house caught fire in Chamkar Oreuk village, Kakab 1 commune, Posenchey district, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The blaze caused alarm among local residents, prompting intervention from local authorities and the dispatch of fire trucks. According to sources, thick smoke was observed emanating from a room on the loft floor of the house prior to the incident. Residents immediately attempted to extinguish the flames using water hoses and fire extinguishers, but the smoke intensified. Authorities were alerted and responded promptly. A fire truck from the Phnom Penh Municipal Police Headquarters was dispatched and successfully controlled the fire, preventing it from spreading to neighboring houses. However, parts of the house and its contents sustained damage. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire and suspect that an unattended lit incense stick may have been the cause. The fire damaged one room measuring 4 meters by 4 meters within the 4-meter by 16-meter reinforced concrete house, and also destroyed several household items, including one telephone, one air conditioner, one washing machine, and one refrigerator. A fire truck from the Phnom Penh Municipal Fire Department was used in the firefighting efforts. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Security