Cambodia on line casino fireplace: Horrific scenes in Poipet as folks soar to flee lethal blaze

Phnom Penh, Cambodia
CNN
 — 

Victims jumped to their deaths from burning buildings in a frantic try to flee a lethal fireplace that engulfed a on line casino in Cambodia Wednesday, Thai rescue employees mentioned.

The rescuers mentioned no less than 11 folks had been killed however the dying toll was anticipated to rise increased from the blaze on the Grand Diamond Metropolis Lodge and On line casino in Poipet, which borders Thailand.

Patcharin Thaenthong, chief of a Thai rescue staff who responded to emergency calls from Cambodian authorities, mentioned among the victims appeared to have died from smoke inhalation. “Once we arrived, we couldn’t get in as a result of the hearth had already taken over (most of) the buildings,” he mentioned.

Roughly 700 Thai residents had been rescued and despatched to hospitals in Thailand, in response to authorities.

Photographs from the scene present enormous vibrant amber flames and plumes of smoke rising from the advanced.

Peerapan Srisakorn, from the Aranyaprathet Rescue Basis, mentioned he noticed folks leaping off burning buildings.

“Two folks died instantly after they hit the bottom and round 4 to 5 (others) broke their legs,” he mentioned.

Movies on the group’s Fb web page confirmed rescue employees in helmets and protecting gear strolling by smoke-filled corridors.

Peerapan mentioned he additionally noticed no less than 9 extra our bodies contained in the buildings.

He suspects the hearth began at a decrease ground restaurant earlier than spreading to different elements of the compound. “Some folks ran to the rooftop, (considering) that the Cambodians might need a rescue crane to assist – however they didn’t have one,” he mentioned.

Climate circumstances might have helped the hearth to unfold, he added.

“It was very windy final evening,” he mentioned. “The fireplace unfold up shortly to the higher flooring after which to each aspect, engulfing the entire constructing.”

He mentioned he additionally noticed a constructing lose electrical energy and the lights go off.

It stays unclear whether or not the hearth has been absolutely extinguished.

Patcharin, the rescue chief, mentioned he might nonetheless see massive quantities of smoke, however was not seeing flames.

Banteay Meanchey Provincial Police Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Sithi Loh mentioned 300 cops, 11 fireplace vans and numerous helicopters had been deployed.

The reason for the hearth stays unclear and the resort’s slender and elevated format had made it troublesome to totally assess the standing of the blaze, he mentioned.

Poipet, a transport hub between Cambodia’s Siem Reap and the Thai capital Bangkok, is understood for its many casinos.

Virtually all types of playing are unlawful in Thailand, although it stays a well-liked vice within the nation with many Thais crossing the border to gamble legally.