Probers take caution in sifting through burnt ammo in CDO military camp fire

Cagayan de Oro map

MANILA, Philippines — Both the military and the fire department have not been able to pinpoint the cause of the fire at Camp Evangelista in Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro, as responders have to wait for the burnt ammunition to cool down first.

A statement from the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) on Tuesday morning confirmed that the fire that shook Cagayan de Oro City past midnight came from one of the buildings inside the Ammunition Complex of the 10th Forward Service Support Unit (FSSU), Army Support Command (ASCOM).

As the said building houses 155mm Howitzer rounds and various small arms ammunition, a cooling period is needed before both firefighters and the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit are allowed to approach and clear the area.

“The cause of the incident is yet to be determined. The fire was declared out at 3:10 AM. However, the incident area needs a cooling period before EOD personnel could move in to clear the area,” the 4th Infantry Division said in a statement.

“When the residual fire would have been completely contained, Army investigating team including City fire authorities will come in to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the incident,” it added.

This was confirmed by officers from the Cagayan de Oro City Fire District, who told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview that they have not ascertained the cause of the fire and the estimated damage as they have not been cleared to enter the area.

The 4ID said that no casualties has been recorded from the military personnel on the ground, but three civilians were hurt due to shrapnel.  All are being treated inside the Camp Evangelista Station Hospital.

Personnel near the incident site have been evacuated too, the 4ID said.

“Immediately, eleven (11) fire trucks from CDO City responded but could not get near the burning structure due to dangerous explosions. There was no casualty from the military personnel, but three (3) civilians incurred minor wounds due to shrapnel and are now treated at Camp Evangelista Station Hospital,” the 4ID said.

“All personnel near the incident site evacuated for safety. Likewise, civilians nearby were advised to evacuate to the 4ID Gymnasium, the designated evacuation center within the camp,” it added.

Affected individuals were also given psychosocial support and stress debriefing, with the help of barangay officials and Cagayan de Oro’s City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD).

Local reports came it at around 1:00 a.m. about several explosions rocking Cagayan de Oro around midnight, with the cause initially unknown to residents.  It became clear eventually that the explosions were coming from a fire inside Camp Evangelista.

READ: Fire hits ammo, arms storage building in Camp Evangelista in CDO 

Several photos and videos of netizens living near the area showed a thick smoke and a bright orange fire coming out of the said camp.

JPV