At least 17 people died and 80 were injured after an early morning explosion at a warehouse storing gunpowder, likely for use at mine blast sites, in Burma's biggest city of Yangon, police and fire officials said today.
The explosion caused a massive blaze and spewed smoke that was only brought under control by late morning, officials said. A police officer, who declined to be named, said 12 men and five women had been confirmed dead and further deaths were expected.
"A fire first broke out at a warehouse where gunpowder was stored," a Yangon fire department official, who asked not to be named said. "It then caused the explosion and then the fire spread. I don't think it's anything to do with sabotage."
The blast occurred at around 2am in Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township in the east of Yangon, Burma's former capital and its main commercial centre.
Ko Tin Than (33) a taxi driver who happened to be driving near the warehouse at the time of the blast, said the whole area was covered with ash afterwards.
"It was just like a volcanic eruption like you see in the movies," he said. "Two or three people more than 100 feet away from the warehouse were killed by flying debris."
Some witnesses said the fire had triggered several smaller blasts. Police said three firemen were among the dead.
Fire engines from all parts of Yangon were at the scene. Television pictures showed rescue teams carrying casualties on stretchers in the darkness around what appeared to be badly damaged buildings.
Reuters