Blaze at Phnom Penh’s Golden Dragon Market

A major fire tore through Phnom Penh’s Golden Dragon Market on Friday, leaving widespread damage to one of the capital’s busiest wholesale fruit and vegetable hubs.

The blaze broke out at around 12:30pm on 28 August, quickly engulfing stalls in the centre of the market. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion before flames spread rapidly across zinc‑roofed structures packed with produce. Thick smoke billowed over Tuol Kork district as fire engines rushed to the scene.

Authorities battled the inferno for nearly two hours before bringing it under control shortly after 2pm. By then, much of the southern section of the market had been destroyed, with dozens of fruit and vegetable stands reduced to charred remains.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, though officials suspect an electrical fault. No casualties have been reported, but traders face heavy losses and uncertainty over how quickly business can resume.

Golden Dragon Market, covering nearly two hectares, is a vital wholesale centre supplying fresh produce to provinces across Cambodia. The disruption is expected to ripple through supply chains, with fears that fruit and vegetable prices could rise in the coming days.

For now, the market’s future hinges on recovery efforts and clarity from investigators. What remains certain is that one of Phnom Penh’s key trading arteries has suffered a severe blow.

-2026-08-30