At least one person was killed, two others seriously injured and 12 shops caught fire after a car collided with a motorcycle and then struck a row of shops in Poipet town’s Phsar Kandal commune in Banteay Meanchey province on Tuesday.
Poipet town police chief Thin Sindeth told The Post: “A women pillion rider was burned to death, and we have not identified her yet due to the condition of the body.
“Her husband and a [noodle] vendor were also seriously injured and sent to the hospital. The [car] driver ran away and the police are on a lookout for him.”
Sindeth said the car was travelling eastbound when it struck the motorcycle going in the opposite direction.
The car subsequently ploughed into the noodle stall and collided with several shops – including gas vendors – resulting in an explosion.
“The 12 shops were built nearby by residents to sell fruit-flavoured dessert jelly, gas cans or to refill cars. When the car collided with the shops it exploded,” said Phsar Kandal commune police chief Chan Sophy.
“Fortunately, no one was in the shop, otherwise it could have been far more serious.”
Police forces and local businesses put out the blaze in tandem with Five Star Casino and the Tropicana Company, which supplied one fire engine each, Sindeth said.
Poipet town and O’Chrou district officials deployed two fire engines and 10 water trucks during the operation.
Phsar Kandal commune deputy police chief Brom Sophal told The Post that rescuers arrived on the scene almost immediately but were unable to extinguish the flame in time to save the victim.
He said the deceased was removed from the rear seat of the motorcycle before being consumed by flames from the explosion.
Her body has been handed over to relatives for last rites. Sophal said police are making a report on the damages sustained by the properties involved.
