Gas tanker explosion

A fire-fighter battles one of several blazes caused by a gas tanker explosion in Prampi Makara district, Phnom Penh.

A tanker truck carrying 8,000 litres of petrol exploded shortly after noon in Phnom Penh's 7 Makara district, touching off a blaze that gutted at least five wooden homes and five vehicles, but left no fatalities, police officials said.

One firefighter was injured when he was knocked down by a water hose as authorities battled the blaze, which took 20 fire engines more than an hour to extinguish.

The blast, on Tep Phorn street, near Preah Puth pagoda, was caused by petrol spilling into the truck's exhaust pipe, Phnom Penh police Chief Touch Naruth said.

"The fires occurred because the gas tanker exploded, setting fire to houses on both sides of the road," he said.