Flames engulf the a garment factory in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district on February 11. No casualties were reported. Municipal police
Police specialists and other authorities are investigating the cause of a fire that completely destroyed the Foremart Cambodia Co. garment factory in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district last night, February 11.
Fortunately, workers had left for the night when the fire broke out, so no casualties were reported among the factory’s more than 400 workers. They are however, facing temporary unemployment.
Chhim Sitha, chief of the Dangkor district police said that the fire had still not been fully extinguished, as of 11.30am.
“No deaths or injuries have been reported so far. The cause is still unknown, and investigations are ongoing. The factory has been completely destroyed, but we do not yet know the total financial damage; we will know once the company reports it,” he said, adding that there were 448 workers employed at the factory, including eight foreigners.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Police Department reported that the fire broke out at approximately 6:30pm at the factory, in Prey Sar commune’s Anlong Kong village.
“The owner is a South Korean named Yoo Miwol, aged 51. The factory was built with concrete and stone, and covered an area of 10,000 square metres,” said the department.
“The fire caused the complete destruction of the garment factory and all its equipment. Fortunately, no one was harmed,” it added.Although not fully extinguished, the blaze was brought under control by approximately 11pm.
Over 50 fire trucks were involved, 21 of them from the Phnom Penh Fire Department. Additionally, fire trucks from the Ministry of Interior, the Phnom Penh Military Police, Infantry Division, the 911 Special Forces Command, Cambodia Brewery, Koh Pich City, the PTT Petroleum Company and the factory itself were also involved. They used over 700 cubic metres of water.
Firemen continue to dampen the smouldering remains of the factory the following morning. CENTRAL
Labour rights NGO the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL) reported that many workers are now facing temporary unemployment as a result of the factory fire.
The NGO shared its concerns, noting that many workers are now seeking assistance to find new employment opportunities. It also urged the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training to support the affected workers.
This morning, February 12, another blaze was reported at a fuel station in a Special Economic Zone in the Prey Nop District of Preah Sihanouk province. No further details were available at time of publication.
