Showing posts with label Fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fire. Show all posts
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Iraqi Hotel Fire Kills 28, Injures 22 in Sulaimaniyah [-One of the victim is Cambodian]
July 16 (Bloomberg) -- A fire engulfed a hotel in the northern Iraqi city of Sulaimaniyah, killing 28 people, half of them foreigners, and injuring 22, the Kurdistan Regional Government said in an e-mailed statement.
The fire broke out at the five-story Soma Hotel yesterday at 10:30 p.m. after an electrical short circuit. Sulaimaniyah, 270 kilometers (170 miles) from Baghdad, is the second-largest city in the oil-rich semi-autonomous region.
The 14 foreigners who died were from Canada, Australia, South Africa, the U.K., Ecuador, Venezuela, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Bangladesh and Cambodia, the KRG said. One victim has yet to be identified.
Regional Prime Minister Barham Salih said his administration is working with the embassies and consulates of the countries concerned to inform the next of kin and facilitate repatriation of the bodies, according to the statement.
Salih ordered an immediate review of fire-safety measures at all public buildings in Sulaimaniyah and the rest of the region. News agencies including the Associated Press cited witnesses as saying some people jumped out of the hotel’s windows to escape the blaze because there were no fire escapes.
“We will spare no effort in making sure such tragedies do not occur in the future,” said Salih, who visited the scene and the hospital where the injured were being treated. “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims.”
Some of the dead worked for the Asiacell mobile phone company, AP reported.
--Editors: Philip Sanders, Heather Langan
To contact the reporter on this story: Caroline Alexander in London at calexander1@bloomberg.net.
The fire broke out at the five-story Soma Hotel yesterday at 10:30 p.m. after an electrical short circuit. Sulaimaniyah, 270 kilometers (170 miles) from Baghdad, is the second-largest city in the oil-rich semi-autonomous region.
The 14 foreigners who died were from Canada, Australia, South Africa, the U.K., Ecuador, Venezuela, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Bangladesh and Cambodia, the KRG said. One victim has yet to be identified.
Regional Prime Minister Barham Salih said his administration is working with the embassies and consulates of the countries concerned to inform the next of kin and facilitate repatriation of the bodies, according to the statement.
Salih ordered an immediate review of fire-safety measures at all public buildings in Sulaimaniyah and the rest of the region. News agencies including the Associated Press cited witnesses as saying some people jumped out of the hotel’s windows to escape the blaze because there were no fire escapes.
“We will spare no effort in making sure such tragedies do not occur in the future,” said Salih, who visited the scene and the hospital where the injured were being treated. “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims.”
Some of the dead worked for the Asiacell mobile phone company, AP reported.
--Editors: Philip Sanders, Heather Langan
To contact the reporter on this story: Caroline Alexander in London at calexander1@bloomberg.net.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Local Cambodian family loses son and house in fire
Sean Phuong looks at the location where his 17-year-old son, Patrick Soeun, died in a Feb. 1 house fire. (Photo by James Tabafunda/NWAW)
Sean Phuong mourns his son, Patrick Soeun, who died in a garage fire on Feb. 5. (Photo by James Tabafunda/NWAW)18 February 2010
By James Tabafunda
Northwest Asian Weekly
It was dark that Monday evening. The usual silence on Feb. 1 was about to be interrupted at the intersection of Fifth Avenue South and South Trenton Street in Seattle.
By 10:30 p.m., Sean Phuong, a refugee from the Battambang province of Cambodia, found his TV set destroyed, and he says that is not what’s important.
He and his wife, Sody Soeun, lost their house that night to a major fire, one that spread quickly from their two-door garage to their attic. They still don’t know what caused the fire, and an investigation is underway.
Their son, Prackserth “Patrick” Soeun, didn’t make it out of the house in time and died inside their garage. He was just a few weeks away from celebrating his 18th birthday in March. All that’s left are a few pictures of him, some taken inside the family’s Buddhist temple.
Phuong says his family never got to see or touch Patrick’s face. Patrick’s remains were completely wrapped before they were removed from the garage.
After the King County Medical Examiner’s office conducted an autopsy and a search of dental records, it confirmed on Feb. 5 that the remains were those of Phuong’s 17-year-old son.
Phuong says if he could change places with his son, he would instantly do so. That way, his son could further his education in college. He was 6 feet tall, shy, and smart, and he received good grades in math. He also had a talent for drawing cartoons and was excellent at using the computer.
“For three days and three nights, I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat,” Phuong admitted. “In my brain, a million thoughts would come up. My heart beat slowly.”
Phuong believes that his son has reincarnated into a new life and all the gifts Patrick gave at his temple have now transferred back to him. He wants everyone to know that Patrick was a very good son, one who respected his family and never talked back to his parents.
“There was a loud bang as if someone had dropped a piece of furniture,” he said about the moment before he and five other family members escaped their burning house.
Jackie Schwendeman, who lives across the street, was the first to see the flames and ran over to pound on their front door. “She said, ‘Get out! Get out!’” said Channy Soeun, 9, one of Phuong’s two daughters. His other daughter, Sophary Soeun, is 21 and has two children.
Sody Soeun says she thought everyone in her family was able to get out of the house. She remembers those who made it out safely wore just the clothes they had on and without shoes.
The surviving family members, including Patrick’s 88-year-old grandfather Phann Phuong, now temporarily live with Sody’s brother. Sody is not working at this time.
Because of the current recession, Phuong says he will take any job that he finds. “I need to work. That’s what I need right now.”
He and his family emigrated to the United States in 1984 and moved into their South Park-district house in 1996 when Patrick was just four years old.
Donations of clothes have started to come in, but each family member is still in need of more clothing and shoes. They are also in critical need of personal hygiene products, underwear, and kitchen items. The Wat Sahak Khemararam Buddhist Association’s temple at 824 South 100th Street is accepting these donations.
Other drop-off locations include Pean Meas Video, off Martin Luther King Way, and the White Center Donut shop.
Members of the local Cambodian community have created a Bank of America account under Sean Phuong’s name, and all of its branches are now accepting cash donations to help with Patrick’s funeral expenses.
“I am very touched by all the compassion, generosity, and the kindness from the community,” said Phuong. “All of these were from people I know and didn’t know. I received compassion from the Khmer community as well as from non-Khmer communities.”
Many Uch, a Khmer community member who has known Phuong and his family since 1983 when they lived in refugee camps, said, “Sean’s been good to our family. He’s been good to the community.”
Uch cited Phuong’s willingness to play music with his band at a fundraising event for Cambodia at a pool hall.
“To me, that’s what a community should be, close-knit,” said Uch. “When a tragedy like this happens, we just need to step up and help out. Contribution-wise, even if it’s little, it’s so important.”
James Tabafunda can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com
By 10:30 p.m., Sean Phuong, a refugee from the Battambang province of Cambodia, found his TV set destroyed, and he says that is not what’s important.
He and his wife, Sody Soeun, lost their house that night to a major fire, one that spread quickly from their two-door garage to their attic. They still don’t know what caused the fire, and an investigation is underway.
Their son, Prackserth “Patrick” Soeun, didn’t make it out of the house in time and died inside their garage. He was just a few weeks away from celebrating his 18th birthday in March. All that’s left are a few pictures of him, some taken inside the family’s Buddhist temple.
Phuong says his family never got to see or touch Patrick’s face. Patrick’s remains were completely wrapped before they were removed from the garage.
After the King County Medical Examiner’s office conducted an autopsy and a search of dental records, it confirmed on Feb. 5 that the remains were those of Phuong’s 17-year-old son.
Phuong says if he could change places with his son, he would instantly do so. That way, his son could further his education in college. He was 6 feet tall, shy, and smart, and he received good grades in math. He also had a talent for drawing cartoons and was excellent at using the computer.
“For three days and three nights, I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat,” Phuong admitted. “In my brain, a million thoughts would come up. My heart beat slowly.”
Phuong believes that his son has reincarnated into a new life and all the gifts Patrick gave at his temple have now transferred back to him. He wants everyone to know that Patrick was a very good son, one who respected his family and never talked back to his parents.
“There was a loud bang as if someone had dropped a piece of furniture,” he said about the moment before he and five other family members escaped their burning house.
Jackie Schwendeman, who lives across the street, was the first to see the flames and ran over to pound on their front door. “She said, ‘Get out! Get out!’” said Channy Soeun, 9, one of Phuong’s two daughters. His other daughter, Sophary Soeun, is 21 and has two children.
Sody Soeun says she thought everyone in her family was able to get out of the house. She remembers those who made it out safely wore just the clothes they had on and without shoes.
The surviving family members, including Patrick’s 88-year-old grandfather Phann Phuong, now temporarily live with Sody’s brother. Sody is not working at this time.
Because of the current recession, Phuong says he will take any job that he finds. “I need to work. That’s what I need right now.”
He and his family emigrated to the United States in 1984 and moved into their South Park-district house in 1996 when Patrick was just four years old.
Donations of clothes have started to come in, but each family member is still in need of more clothing and shoes. They are also in critical need of personal hygiene products, underwear, and kitchen items. The Wat Sahak Khemararam Buddhist Association’s temple at 824 South 100th Street is accepting these donations.
Other drop-off locations include Pean Meas Video, off Martin Luther King Way, and the White Center Donut shop.
Members of the local Cambodian community have created a Bank of America account under Sean Phuong’s name, and all of its branches are now accepting cash donations to help with Patrick’s funeral expenses.
“I am very touched by all the compassion, generosity, and the kindness from the community,” said Phuong. “All of these were from people I know and didn’t know. I received compassion from the Khmer community as well as from non-Khmer communities.”
Many Uch, a Khmer community member who has known Phuong and his family since 1983 when they lived in refugee camps, said, “Sean’s been good to our family. He’s been good to the community.”
Uch cited Phuong’s willingness to play music with his band at a fundraising event for Cambodia at a pool hall.
“To me, that’s what a community should be, close-knit,” said Uch. “When a tragedy like this happens, we just need to step up and help out. Contribution-wise, even if it’s little, it’s so important.”
James Tabafunda can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Police: No casualties in Naga Casino fire in Phnom Penh
PHNOM PENH, April 12 (Xinhua) -- There were no casualties in the fire which burned part of the Naga Casino here on Saturday, Cambodian police said.
"We are preparing to create a committee to investigate this fire accident," Phnom Penh Police Commander Touch Naroath told Xinhua.
Nobody died from this accident, he added.
The fire only destroyed some construction materials inside the building and part of its first and second floor, staff and construction workers said.
The guests of Naga, which is also a hotel, fled from their rooms, they said, adding that all staff members were also evacuated from the building.
Wood being used for remodeling the Naga Casino caught fire, sparking the blaze in a district of the city crowded with government offices, including the National Assembly and Foreign Ministry, military police officer Klook Chandara said.
The fire has been put out and it did not cause damage to other buildings in the same block.
Naga is operated by Malaysian investors and it is the only casino of its kind within 200 kilograms (KI-Media note: 200kilometers?) around.
Some parts of the Naga building was on business while other parts are still under construction.
The blaze was the second major fire in two days in Cambodia's capital, after more than 200 wooden shacks in a slum area were destroyed early Friday, leaving thousands homeless.
"We are preparing to create a committee to investigate this fire accident," Phnom Penh Police Commander Touch Naroath told Xinhua.
Nobody died from this accident, he added.
The fire only destroyed some construction materials inside the building and part of its first and second floor, staff and construction workers said.
The guests of Naga, which is also a hotel, fled from their rooms, they said, adding that all staff members were also evacuated from the building.
Wood being used for remodeling the Naga Casino caught fire, sparking the blaze in a district of the city crowded with government offices, including the National Assembly and Foreign Ministry, military police officer Klook Chandara said.
The fire has been put out and it did not cause damage to other buildings in the same block.
Naga is operated by Malaysian investors and it is the only casino of its kind within 200 kilograms (KI-Media note: 200kilometers?) around.
Some parts of the Naga building was on business while other parts are still under construction.
The blaze was the second major fire in two days in Cambodia's capital, after more than 200 wooden shacks in a slum area were destroyed early Friday, leaving thousands homeless.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Sihanoukville’s Phsar Leu fire burns down almost 900 stalls
Scene of the fire during the night of 02 to 03 January (Photo: Koh Santepheap)
A view of the market the day after the fire (Photo: Koh Santepheap)
Burnt down stalls the day after (Photo: Koh Santepheap)Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Sihanoukville’s Phar Leu market erupted in fire which burnt down 874 stalls among a total number of 1,125. The fire took place during the night of 02 January 2008. Stall vendors accused the local authority of starting up the fire in order to force the vendors to move out of this old market and start their business in a new market which was recently built. However, Say Hak, Sihanoukville governor, said that the city authority does not bear evil thought as to create such disaster for the people. Up until now, no one knows the cause of the fire which also destroyed at least $1 million in merchandise.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
[400-year-old] Khmer Kampuchea Krom pagoda in Treang Province ravaged by fire
15 August 2007
By Moeung Tum
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
By Moeung Tum
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
With the ongoing protest demanding that the Vietnamese government release Monk Tim Sakhorn from jail, a report indicated that a Khmer Kampuchea Krom pagoda was ravaged by fire today.
RFA Vietnamese language service reported that the temple of the Moha Tub pagoda was ravaged by fire at 3:00 AM on Wednesday 15 August 2007. The pagoda is located in Treang province (Soc Trang in Vietnamese) in Kampuchea Krom (current South Vietnam).
Venerable Kim Ren, the abbot of the Moha Tub pagoda, said that the fire was started when one of the 60 candles in the temple (Vihear) fell down.
The extent of the damage on this 400-year-old temple is not known yet, however, a source indicated that almost all the antique Buddha statues in the temple were ravaged by fire.
RFA Vietnamese language service reported that the temple of the Moha Tub pagoda was ravaged by fire at 3:00 AM on Wednesday 15 August 2007. The pagoda is located in Treang province (Soc Trang in Vietnamese) in Kampuchea Krom (current South Vietnam).
Venerable Kim Ren, the abbot of the Moha Tub pagoda, said that the fire was started when one of the 60 candles in the temple (Vihear) fell down.
The extent of the damage on this 400-year-old temple is not known yet, however, a source indicated that almost all the antique Buddha statues in the temple were ravaged by fire.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Fire razed over 40 rental homes
A scene of the incident location during the fire located next to the Russian Federation Avenue (Photo: Ratanak, Koh Santepheap)
Factory workers are overcome with emotion when they saw their apartments on fire (Photo: Ratanak, Koh Santepheap)
A scene at the incident location after the fire (Photo: Ratanak, Koh Santepheap)Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
A fire destroyed about 40 homes built out of wood and concrete located near the LA garment factory, in front of the Teuk Thla pagoda, Teuk Thla commune, Russei keo district, at 7:15 AM on 30 July 2007. The caused of the fire is presumed to be an electrical short circuit which started at one of the homes occupied by a factory worker. However, the owner of the apartment was at work when the fire started. Local officials gave a preliminary report indicating that about 42 homes – where the bottom floor is built out of concrete and the upper floor built out of wood – and their contents were completely destroyed by the fire. The fire area consists of homes rented by about 228 factory workers living there, and when the fire started, the workers were already at work. During the fire, the workers left their factory work to come and look at their rental apartments, and a large number of them cried and passed out from grief due to the loss of their belongings.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Vendors Allowed Back in Pursat Market After Huge Fire
Chamroeun, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
21/04/2007
Pursat vendors will be allowed back in the market after their stalls were destroyed by a fire this week, leading to a protest in front of Prime Minister Hun Sen's house.
Hundreds of vendors protested outside the premier's Phnom Penh home Friday, calling for an investigation into the burning of the market, the Cambodia Daily reported.
The fire lasted 16 hours and destroyed 700 stalls and millions of dollars in stock, the Daily reported.
Authorities were cleaning up the ashes from the fire, Pursat Governor Chhay Sareth said, denying allegations made by vendors that the fire was a means of pushing them out for a new development project.
One vendor told VOA that the fire had spread quickly, leading her to suspect arson.
Original report from Phnom Penh
21/04/2007
Pursat vendors will be allowed back in the market after their stalls were destroyed by a fire this week, leading to a protest in front of Prime Minister Hun Sen's house.
Hundreds of vendors protested outside the premier's Phnom Penh home Friday, calling for an investigation into the burning of the market, the Cambodia Daily reported.
The fire lasted 16 hours and destroyed 700 stalls and millions of dollars in stock, the Daily reported.
Authorities were cleaning up the ashes from the fire, Pursat Governor Chhay Sareth said, denying allegations made by vendors that the fire was a means of pushing them out for a new development project.
One vendor told VOA that the fire had spread quickly, leading her to suspect arson.
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