Mindanaotoday.com | Army’s 4ID ammo storage on fire, 3 hurt
By: Bobby Lagsa
Shortly after midnight on July 12, an explosion took place inside one of the buildings of the walled Ammunition Complex of the 10th Forward Service Support Unit (FSSU), Army Support Command in Camp Evangelista, Patag, this city.
Maj. Francisco Garello, spokesperson of the 4ID, said that a fire inside Magazine 5 of that houses Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) caused the explosion that rocked the city causing massive among residents near the compound.
He said that close to 150 rounds of 155mm Howitzer rounds and various small arms munitions exploded during the fire that held back fire fighters from across the city.
“The first explosion took place shortly after midnight with the last heard explosion around 1:15 in the morning,” Garello said.
He added that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the army’s own fire brigade declared fore out at 3 in the morning.
A fire truck of the 4ID was damaged by a shrapnel. Three civilians were injured by shrapnel and is now recuperating at the Camp Evangelista Station Hospital.
As explosions may cause munitions and explosives to fly at distance, there is a threat of unexploded ordnance (UXO) which poses threats to personnel.
Garello said that a team of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team is now clearing the explosion site.
“We have cordoned a 500-meter diameter and it is off limit except for the EOD,” he said.
“It is very dangerous for people to wander around. The EOD is on clearing operation,” he added.
Garello furthered that the estimated cost of the fire and explosion reached P27 million.
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