Catered to Thailand gamblers
A Cambodian casino near the border of Thailand erupted in flames on Monday, January 7. According to multiple media reports, the blaze that began in an elevator then engulfed much of the 18-story structure and injured at least six people.
According to CDC Gaming Reports, the fire started on the first floor of the Genting Crown Casino in Poipet, then spread into residential apartments on the upper levels.
The casino caters to gamblers who cross the border from nearby Thailand, where gambling is illegal. The fire began at approximately 9:35 p.m. on Monday night. It began near the fourth floor before expanding quickly to the 13th floor, reported CalvinAyre.com.
“No one died in the flames,” said Nanteay Meanchey Province Chief of Police Major General Ath Khem. “However, six men got injured due to smoke inhalation when they got trapped in the elevator.” The injured were described as five Cambodians and one Chinese national. All were sent to a local hospital, where they were treated for smoke inhalation. Ten fire trucks responded to the casino fire; firefighters brought the blaze under control by 2 a.m. on Tuesday, January 8.
The property, which opened in 1999, has no connection to either Malaysian casino giant Genting Bhd or Australian operator Crown Resorts Ltd.
