CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Over a hundred rounds of 155mm Howitzers and other ammunitions worth P27-million exploded inside Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Barangay Patag here when a fire of still unknown origin broke off dawn today July 12, 2022.
The clearing operations of the aftermath of the fire and explosion of an ammunition complex inside the headquarters of the 4th Infantry Division.
Military authorities said it will take about a week to clear the debris.
.The fire broke off past midnight in one of the buildings of the walled Ammunition Complex of the 10th Forward Service Support Unit (FSSU), Army Support Command.
Major Francisco Garello, spokesperson of the 4th ID said that a fire inside Magazine 5 which housed the Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) caused the explosion which rocked the city causing massive evacuation and fears among residents near the compound.
“Close to 150 rounds of 155mm Howitzer rounds and various small arms munitions exploded during the fire which hampered the fire fighters from across the city,” Garello added “The estimated cost of the fire and explosion reached 27 million pesos.”
“The last heard explosion around 1:15 in the morning,” Garello said. the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the army’s own fire brigade declared fore out at 3 in the morning.
Three civilians were injured but was immediately sent to the Camp’s hospital while a fire truck of the 4th ID was damaged by a shrapnel.
As explosions may caused munitions and explosives to fly at distance, there is a threat of unexploded ordnance (UXO) which poses threats to personel.
Garello said that a team of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team is now clearing the explosion site.
The military cordoned a 500 meter diameter and it is off limit except for the EOD. Garello said “it is very dangerous for people to wander around. The EOD is on clearing operation.”
Eleven eleven (11) fire trucks from CDO City have responded but the firemen cannot get through due to dangerous explosions.
All personnel near the incident site evacuated for safety while civilians nearby were advised to evacuate to the 4ID Gymnasium, the designated evacuation center for authorities to clear the area.
A team from the Philippine Army and the City fire authorities are conducting thorough investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
In the meantime, the Command administers psycho-social support and stress debriefing to affected individuals in coordination with the officials of Brgy Patag and CDO City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) at the Evacuation Centers.-Bobby Lagsa/Newsline
