233 evacuated, 3 hurt in ammunition depot fire at army camp in Cagayan de Oro

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 10:10 a.m.) — The Philippine Army said 233 people from 49 families have been evacuated, while three civilians were hurt following a fire at an ammunition depot in Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City that caused loud explosions early Tuesday dawn.

The army said in a statement posted by ABS-CBN News that those living near the ammunition complex are now temporarily sheltered at the 4th Infantry Division's gymnasium and at the covered court in Barangay Patag.

It said that the families are being provided stress debriefing and psychosocial support, while troopers are working with the local social welfare and development office to assists them.

Meanwhile, the three who were injured were rushed to Camp Evangelista Station Hospital for treatment of their "minor injuries" and are now in "stable condition."

Maj. Francisco Garello, the army's 4th ID spokesperson, told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo that the blaze began burning at around midnight, which was followed by sporadic explosions until around an hour after, before it was extinguished at 3:10 a.m.

The army said it will be cooperating with the Bureau of Fire Protection in probing the cause of the blaze, but an undetermined "cool-off period" will be first observed before launching a formal investigation to avoid risks of fires or explosions.

It is still unknown how many munitions were damaged in the fire, but Garello said the depot housed 130 howitzer rounds and other small ammunitions.

The army added that it will launch an internal investigation "aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future." — Xave Gregorio