An Australian holidaymaker is among five people who have died in a nightclub fire in Cambodia’s northwestern tourist hub of Siem Reap.

The blaze broke out at the Hip Hop nightclub in Siem Reap city at around 2am on Tuesday as the result of an electrical fault, provincial police chief Sort Nady said.

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“An Australian tourist was among five people who died after suffocating on smoke,” he said, adding that two local people were injured in the fire.

Police said the 32-year-old Australian had arrived in Cambodia last week.

They have launched an investigation into the incident, Nady said.

Siem Reap province, home to Cambodia’s famed Angkor temple complex, is the country’s most popular tourist destination.

It is understood the Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to the Australian man’s family.