Huge fire burns down 3 flats of major market in Yangon

A huge fire burned down three flats of Mingalazay market, one of the major markets in Myanmar's Yangon, early on Saturday.

The four-hour blaze, occuring at 1:30 a.m. local time, started from the fourth floor and down to the second floor.

Strong explosions were heard during the fire, witnesses said.

Some 600 firefighters with 65 fire-engines rushed to the scene.

The fire-torn flats collapsed and some firefighters were injured.

Yangon region's chief minister U Myint Swe inspected the fire outbreak and commanded the fight against fire, assisted by local inhabitants.

The fire was under control at 5:30 a.m. local time, officials said.

Most of the shops opened at the fourth and third floors sell medicine.

It was the second time that the Mingalazay market was severely burned down with the first being on May 24, 2010. Enditem