Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Blasts Hit Marine Base In South RP

ILIGAN CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 20 Jun) A leaking acetylene tank triggered a series of powerful explosions Tuesday inside a tightly guarded marine base in the southern Philippines, but there were no reports of casualties, officials said.

Officials said the explosions destroyed the motor pool and an armory inside the headquarters of the 1st Marine Brigade in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province.

"The explosions sparked a fire that spread to the two areas around 12.45 p.m., but the blaze was put under control 30 minutes later. It's good that no one was hurt or killed in the blasts," Marine Brig. Gen. Mohammad Dolorfino, deputy commander of the Southern Command, told the Zamboanga Journal.

He said troops have secured the area which was littered with unexploded mortar bombs. "We are still investigating the explosions, but initial reports suggested it was an accident. A leak from one of the acetylene tanks may have triggered the explosions," Dolorfino said.

Soldiers working in the motor pool were on lunch break when the explosions occurred, he said.

The marine headquarters, Dolorfino said, was situated on a remote village and that the explosions did not pose any threat to residential areas.” The situation is now under control," he said.

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