Conflicting reports as fire breaks out in 18 story building in Poipet

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

Manager reported that fire broke out in an 18 story building in the area of the Crown Casino in Poipet across the Thai border from Aranyaprathet. 

 

Manager noted that while Cambodian news outlets were saying the building was a hotel they were told over the phone by a Crown Resort staffer that it was an empty office block. 

 

However, they said this conflicted with eye witness reports that eleven people were taken to hospital. 

 

The fire broke out on lower floors around 3 am and took fire crews two hours to bring under control. 

 

Some reports said that people were trapped on upper floors. 

 

No deaths have been reported. 

 

The casino is a popular destination for Thai gamblers. 

 

Source: Manager Online

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-01-08

 

A dreaded Chinese owned casino? Let it burn to the ground!!

Maybe the punters were playing "red hot poker"!!

Edited January 8, 20197 yr by Burma Bill
additional information

Poipet casino in flames, gamblers evacuated through thick smoke

By Thanapat Kitjakoson 
Sa Kaew

 

 

At least 10 people, mostly Chinese, were wounded during a big fire at an 18floor casino building in the bordertown of Poipet in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchay province late on Monday night.

 

Initial reports said the fire was probably caused by an electrical shortcircuit in an elevator on the fifth floor of Genting Casino at about 11pm.

 

The fire then spread up through the elevator’s shaft, with the flames spreading throughout the floors and causing a massive blaze that could be seen from far away.

 

The town is adjacent to Aranyaprathet district in Thailand’s Sa Kaew province. Poipet town is infamous for its casino, with most gamblers and visitors coming from Thailand.

 

Thai authorities in Sa Kaew also dispatched firefighters and fire engines to help their counterparts fight the blaze. 

 

Rescuers had to break the glass at the front of the building to evacuate people as thick smoke engulfed the stairways.

 

The bid to snuff the flames was achieved shortly after midnight, but smoke could still be seen.

 

An initial investigation showed that the casino is run by a Chinese firm.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30361835

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-1-8

 

 

And I'm absolutely positive that it was build to Western building codes. Right? 

3 hours ago, thaigirlwatcher said:

And I'm absolutely positive that it was build to Western building codes. Right? 

Obviously the same building codes as on Grenfell towers.