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Around 24 soldiers and firemen were wounded after a powerful explosion rocked the armory of the Philippine Army in the Philippine capital region of Metro Manila on Wednesday morning.
The powerful explosion occurred after a fire broke out at the Explosives and Ordnance Building of the Philippine Army's headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City at around 10:30 a.m., Wednesday.
Philippine Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Noel Detoyato said the fire set off munitions stored in the armory and caused the explosion.
Detoyato said the injured included three officers while five of the victims are currently in critical condition. The injured were brought to the Philippine Army General Hospital.
He said the Philippine Army will launch an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Detoyato, however, ruled out the possibility of a sabotage.
Local media said firemen will attempt to flood the damaged area to ensure that landmines stored in the EOD building will not explode.
The incident caused heavy traffic in the area which is near Makati, the country's central business district.
Local media said the Philippine Army ordered the evacuation of offices and commercial buildings near its headquarters as a precautionary measure.
