BATTAMBANG: A train operated by the ROYAL RAILWAY Company caught fire on Sunday, 25 December, shocking the public and authorities who intervened to put out the flames.

According to the police, the train caught fire around 11:30 am on Sunday at Group 2, Kien Kes 1 Village, Kork Khmum Commune, Thmor Kol District, Battambang Province. A 31-year-old train conductor, Chhorn Phanny, was on board at the time.

The train's 12 railcars were hauling around 720 tons of rice when a fire started from the sparks emitted during an engine overload. Authorities deployed one firetruck and used eight extinguishers to put out the fire.

The train incurred about 50% damage from the fire, but the rice was luckily untouched and no injuries were caused.