VIDEO | Army probes fire, explosions that injured 25 people inside camp

From InterAksyon (May 7): VIDEO | Army probes fire, explosions that injured 25 people inside camp



The burnt shell of the Explosives and Ordnance Division inside the Army Support Command in Fort Bonifacio is all that's left after Wednesday's fire and explosions. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY ROLLY CHUA

Army chief Lt. Gen. Hernando Irriberi has ordered a thorough investigation of the fire and ensuing explosions that injured 25 people Wednesday morning at the bomb and ammunition storage of the Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) inside the Army Support Command (ASCOM) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

“Definitely some people will have to answer for something during the course of the inquiry,” Army spokesman Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato said.
In all, 25 soldiers and civilians including seven fire volunteers were wounded and rushed to various hospitals for treatment.

Listed in critical condition at the AFP Medical Center in V. Luna, Quezon City are Captain Julius Galeon, Corporal Rosalino Galia, 1Lt. Diney Alosada, Master Sergeant Ferdinand Rapal and Sergeant Rommel Sepino.
Earlier, Army deputy spokesman Capt. Anthony Bacus said that before the explosion, fire broke out at the EOD building shortly after 10 a.m.
Fireout was declared at around 11 a.m.

Detoyato, who was among the first responders, said the fire quickly spread inside the building. “At first, there were many small bursts, like those of firecrackers. But the last big explosion really felt like it drowned us out,” Detoyato said.

Detoyato said the wounded were mostly hit by shrapnel and debris from the blast at the EOD building inside the Army Support Command compound along Lawton Avenue. Among the wounded, he said, were “two of my cameramen.”

Detoyato ruled out the possibility of sabotage, noting that the fire and explosion happened within a secure compound.

The Army spokesman said the fire broke out “a little after 10” and the camp’s fire department received the alarm around 10:28 a.m., “so they were able to respond immediately.”

However, he said the blast happened “just before 11,” even as the fire was being brought under control.

Detoyato said the major explosion was preceded by several small bursts, “like firecrackers.”

He wondered how he escaped injury, “pero ‘yung mga nakaharap ko nagtilapon, nagtumbahan lahat ‘yun (but those in front of me scattered, they all fell down).”

[Video]

Deputy Army spokesman  Bacus said he felt the force of the explosion in his office, about a kilometer away from the ASCOM compound.
Television footage showed uniformed soldiers carrying some of the wounded on stretchers away from a burning building enveloped in black smoke.

Three other men, two in military uniform and one in civilian clothing, sat on the pavement awaiting medical help.

"Two of my cameramen were wounded as well as some firemen," he added.

[Video]

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/86240/video--army-probes-fire-explosions-that-injured-25-people-inside-camp