Cause of PH Army armory fire still a mystery–official

By: Bong Lozada - 11 years ago

Smoke rises from the remains of a Philippine army munitions depot in Taguig City on May 7. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Three days after a fire engulfed the Philippine Army’s armory in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, an official said the cause has remained a mystery.

Lieutenant Colonel Noel Detoyato, Philippine Army spokesman, said that the Bureau of Fire Protection in Taguig handling the investigation was still investigating the cause of the fire, which caused a series of explosions that killed one Army personnel and injured 31 others.

“The Taguig BFP has not submitted anything regarding the cause of the fire,” Detoyato said.

Detoyato said the Philippine Army incurred a total of P19 million in losses based on a report by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion.

Of the P19 million, P3.65 million were from the destroyed building, while the remaining were from 16 rifles, 14 M14s and two M16s, explosive devices, and office equipment.