PHNOM PENH: Eight people are confirmed dead after a fire in Phnom Penh’s Toul Kork district ripped through a 5th floor karaoke bar and hotel on July 1.

Chief of the Phnom Penh Fire Department, Prom Yorn, said he received reports around 5pm from local residents about a fire at 6969 Kiss Entertainment on Street 206 in Toul Kork. He immediately ordered fire trucks from all Phnom Penh stations to respond to the fire.

He said that the operation was especially difficult due to the bar’s location on the fifth floor, which made a timely intervention complicated. He noted that his firefighters had a particularly difficult time carrying out the rescue due to extremely toxic smoke. The fire chief confirmed that a specialized force is still carrying out rescue efforts, but due to the internal situation, the crew has to use oxygen (SCBA) in the operation.

Reports say the electric fire started around 5pm in the concrete building that housed the karaoke bar. The search continues for the source of the fire. So far seven foreigners and one Cambodian are confirmed dead. Fire Chief Prom Yorn said that the fire was completely controlled by 8:30pm, with the assistance of dozens of fire trucks making multiple trips to refill water to fight the blaze.