17 die in warehouse fire and explosions
Source: Agencies |
December 30, 2011, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A FIRE followed by several explosions engulfed state-owned warehouses and neighboring homes in Myanmar's main city of Yangon yesterday, killing at least 17 people and injuring 108.
The blasts occurred as firefighters were putting out the fire that had started in a state warehouse before spreading to other warehouses and nearby homes and buildings before dawn.
Six of the dead were firefighters, said a home ministry source, who asked not to be named.
He added the fire and blasts destroyed 16 warehouses, a Buddhist monastery and 76 homes in Mingalar Taung Nyunt township in eastern Yangon.
A total of 108 injured people were brought to Yangon General Hospital, said a senior nurse.
"Many of the dead were hit by flying debris from broken walls and stone slabs that were flung on to the streets due to the explosions," said Maung Win, a 45-year-old resident.
The explosions rocked the city, jolting residents from sleep. A 6-meter -wide and 4.5-meter-deep crater was visible at the site. Black smoke was seen billowing from the rubble yesterday morning.
Firefighters were searching for bodies from among the debris.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire, but the home ministry official said the explosions were due to chemicals, including ammonia and potassium nitrate, stored in one warehouses.
Residents said the fire started in a warehouse that stored electronic goods then spread to other buildings.
The blasts occurred as firefighters were putting out the fire that had started in a state warehouse before spreading to other warehouses and nearby homes and buildings before dawn.
Six of the dead were firefighters, said a home ministry source, who asked not to be named.
He added the fire and blasts destroyed 16 warehouses, a Buddhist monastery and 76 homes in Mingalar Taung Nyunt township in eastern Yangon.
A total of 108 injured people were brought to Yangon General Hospital, said a senior nurse.
"Many of the dead were hit by flying debris from broken walls and stone slabs that were flung on to the streets due to the explosions," said Maung Win, a 45-year-old resident.
The explosions rocked the city, jolting residents from sleep. A 6-meter -wide and 4.5-meter-deep crater was visible at the site. Black smoke was seen billowing from the rubble yesterday morning.
Firefighters were searching for bodies from among the debris.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire, but the home ministry official said the explosions were due to chemicals, including ammonia and potassium nitrate, stored in one warehouses.
Residents said the fire started in a warehouse that stored electronic goods then spread to other buildings.
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