We are watching this factory burn just 100 meters away from our new ministry site in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. After over 29 hours of traveling (trains, busses, planes, and lots of security) we arrived tonight in Cambodia for month seven of the Race. Chi, (yes, as in the tea) met us at the airport, concern concealed in a smile of greeting. Moments later his worry was revealed as he explained our bus was late because of the fire.
What fire?
A factory. A big factory for clothes with 10,000 workers caught fire today at 4pm. Very close to church.
As we waited for a ride, Chi got updates on the cell phone. So far reports indicate (not confirmed yet) 2,000 women died tonight, trapped in the factory.
The van arrived and we eased through the crowded streets of onlookers, ambulances and fire trucks. When we passed by the flames, we gasped. I’ve never been this close to such a big fire, to death. It was intense. This isn’t some Universal Studios ride where the vibrant orange and red flames are just fabric and wind. People had died in there, could still be dying in there. Ten thousand people just lost their jobs. Two thousand just lost their lives.
We found out later that the fire trucks couldn’t fit down the narrow roads surrounding the factory and that the firefighters must be paid before fighting. They assessed the situation and demanded $5,000. No one had that kind of money so the fire burned. Neighbors paid the fire trucks (or water trucks as a young boy called them tonight) for the fighters to stay in case it spread. As we watch from our church balcony, it appears the fire fighters are in the factory now.
We are doing a prayer watch tonight – a night watch. We’ll be keeping an eye on the flames and if they get too close we’ll evacuate. Everyone in the church is very calm (locals have joined us here for shelter).
Please pray with us! For the families who lost a wife, daughter, mom, sister tonight; for the fire fighters, for the women who worked there and if there is still anyone trapped there now. Pray the fire will go out!
Let’s fight some fire with prayer!
