Neth Vantha, director of the Ministry of Interior’s Fire Prevention, Extinguishing, and Rescue Department, informed that the number of fires across Cambodia increased by 20 percent compared to 2022.

Vantha added that in 2023, fires injured 97 people and destroyed or damaged 579 homes and several other buildings.

The senior official noted that 136 fires were reported in Phnom Penh, and two in Kep province.

He recalled that most fires occur in the dry season and warned that the rainy season is not without risk.

jg/iff/lam/mpm