This used to be the method used for clearing slums to make way for development.

BOFH wrote:Electricity mishap or methlab explosion?

New hotel/apartment building coming up.

frank lee bent wrote:Viet community I think

No, it most definitely is not.

Very sad indeed, especially for those injured and those who have lost everything they own, along with their homes, whether owned or rented. Most of the long term residents of this neighbourhood, which sits between the Chbar Ampouv fish market and river, relocated here to start fresh after their previous neighbourhood was destroyed by fire maybe 10 - 15 years ago (I will have to clarify when). This neighbourhood is full of honest, hard working and friendly people, it is not an area notorious for druggies and jaos...the local residents police this themselves. Although it appears from the outside that it is only tin shanties, there are some very nice houses within that the locals have worked hard to build.

- The fire started in the home of an elderly widow, whilst cooking, the butane gas cylinder exploded. She attempted to take her own life by jumping in the river out of guilt, neighbours jumped in to successfully rescue her.

- Approximately 40 families have lost everything, there were some minor injuries including burns and smoke inhalation, but thankfully no deaths.

- The NGO run by HE's wife is providing assistance to those who have been displaced by the fire.

- Only 2 of the 7 fire engine's were used to attempt to extinguish the fire, the tankers ran out of water in about 10 minutes. The other 5 engines focused on protecting the fuel/gas storage facility ivo the fire.

- Residents managed to extinguish the fire using hoses and buckets, risking their lives in doing so, there were also 2 boats assisting from the river with hoses (possibly dredging barges?).

The residents of this neighbourhood were extremely lucky, this fire, if not extinguished as quickly as it was, would've spread and destroyed the entire neighbourhood, and I hate to think how many lives would have been lost if this had happened during the night time.

- Only 2 of the 7 fire engine's were used to attempt to extinguish the fire, the tankers ran out of water in about 10 minutes.