December 3, 2025
PHNOM PENH – Firefighters were able to extinguish a blaze at a Phnom Penh ice-making facility which erupted into flames last night and prevent the fire from spreading to a nearby community. They also employed a ventilation truck to disperse the ammonia vapour which was leaking onto the air.
The incident occurred when an ammonia pipe ruptured. Firefighters responded at around 8pm on December 1 at Tuol Pongro Road, Tuol Pongro village, Chom Chao 1 commune, in the capital’s Por Senchey district.
The firefighting team, led by Lieutenant Colonel Prum Yorn, Chief of the Fire Prevention, Extinguishing, and Rescue Office of the Phnom Penh Municipal Police, acted quickly to prevent the fire from spreading.
Authorities deployed eight fire trucks, seven of which belonged to the Phnom Penh municipality.
“The zinc-roofed ice factory building, measuring 30 metres by 40 metres, suffered minor damage to an ammonia hot-pipe, causing an ammonia odour that affected some residents” the Fire Prevention Office stated.
Yorn confirmed that investigations found the fire and leak were caused by a ruptured ammonia pipe that had deteriorated over time.
Later that same night, the Ministry of Environment dispatched officials to contain the gas leak.
The ministry explained that as an initial step, the working group provided guidance on environmental technical standards to prevent harmful gas emissions or chemical leaks from spreading into the atmosphere. The factory immediately shut down its gas system and transferred the remaining ammonia into a new gas cylinder, resulting in no further leakage.
Authorities said a working group will continue monitoring the site to prevent environmental pollution and safeguard public health in the surrounding community.