SEVERAL residents of Cagayan de Oro were woken up by a series of loud explosions caused by a fire that broke out in one of the buildings inside the Ammunition Complex in Camp Evangelista, Barangay Patag past 12 midnight on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
According to the Division Public Affairs Office of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID), the said building houses 155mm Howitzer rounds and various small arms ammunitions.
Eleven fire trucks have responded but could not get near the burning structure due to dangerous explosions.
The fire was declared out around 3:10 a.m.
Three civilians have gotten minor wounds due to shrapnel. 4ID Public Division Chief Francisco Garello Jr., said that they were treated at the Camp Evangelista Station Hospital and were now released.
There was no casualty among the military personnel.
All personnel near the incident site evacuated for safety. A total of 24 families or 124 individuals, living nearby were evacuated to the 4ID Gymnasium, the designated evacuation center within the camp.
The 4ID also conducted psycho-social support and stress debriefing to affected individuals at the evacuation centers in coordination with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
Garello said they have not yet determined the cause of the fire incident.
Meanwhile, Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy, in his statement, said that the City Government will extend all needed support to the 4ID, the residents inside and in the vicinity of Camp Evangelista who were affected by the fire.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD) had deployed all its firefighting, rescue and ambulances to Camp Evangelista when the incident happened.
Uy sais that the City Government will further look into the conditions of the three injured civilians and "would provide assistance when needed."
"City Hall affirms its trust in the command at the 4th ID to manage this emergency and prevent the recurrence of similar incidents in the future," Uy said.
"I would enjoin all residents to stay calm and refrain from making any speculations on the incident," he added. (SunStar Philippines)