(Kampong Speu): Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment is reviewing legal action after a large fire broke out at an illegal scrap storage site in Kampong Speu province, causing serious air pollution and environmental concerns, officials said.
Environmental officials from the General Department of Environmental Protection, in cooperation with the Kampong Speu Department of Environment and local authorities, inspected the site on 6 March following the fire that began on the afternoon of 5 March in Tang Robang village, Haong Samnam commune, Oral district.
The blaze continued burning into the night of March 6 and had not yet been fully contained, according to officials.
Investigators said the fire involved large quantities of improperly stored scrap materials, including dozens of tons of electrical wires, electrical cables, old washing machines, air conditioners, used shipping containers, motorcycles, three-wheel vehicles, old cars, parts from a damaged aircraft and various types of scrap metal. The materials were piled on a site covering about 1.5 hectares.
Authorities identified the site as belonging to Sok Han, who had been collecting recyclable solid waste. Officials said the business was operating without the required permits from relevant ministries and institutions, particularly environmental authorities.
The Ministry of Environment warned that illegal storage of solid waste can increase the risk of fires, air pollution and improper handling of hazardous materials, which may lead to legal penalties.
Under Cambodia’s Environment and Natural Resources Code, Article 272 strictly prohibits storing, releasing, burning, burying or dumping hazardous waste that may harm public health, the environment or property.
Article 844 states that offenders who commit such acts causing environmental damage may face prison sentences of one to five years and fines of up to 100 million riel, particularly in cases of repeated violations.
Authorities have instructed the business owner to cooperate with local officials to control and extinguish the fire, suspend the intake of all waste materials at the site, obtain proper legal authorization before operating such a business and strictly prohibit workers from burning any materials, including grass or waste.
The fire has produced thick black smoke and strong odors since about 3 p.m. on 5 March, affecting surrounding areas.
Kampong Speu provincial authorities, along with police and military police forces, deployed nine fire trucks to contain the blaze and continued emergency response operations, officials said.
=FRESH NEWS
