CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Three persons were wounded when a fire and a series of explosions struck the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID) ammunition depot at Camp Evangelista in Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City shortly after midnight yesterday.
The explosions triggered panic among people in and outside the camp.
Around 40 residents of the complex were not allowed to return to their homes while clearing operations were ongoing.
Maj. Francisco Garello of the 4th ID said the building houses 155mm Howitzer rounds and various small arms ammunition.
“Three civilians incurred minor wounds due to shrapnel,” Garello said.
He said there was no casualty among military personnel. The wounded were taken for treatment at the Camp Evangelista Station Hospital.
In a statement, Garello said the fire was declared out at 3:10 a.m. The cause of the incident has yet to be determined.
“Fire trucks could not get near the burning structure due to dangerous explosions,” he said. – Michael Punongbayan, Roel Pareño, John Unson