29 Apr 2014 18:01

Forest fire caused Trans-Baikal arsenal explosions - source

MOSCOW. April 29 (Interfax) - Tuesday's explosions in an ammunition depot in the Trans-Baikal territory occurred after a fire spread to the ammunition depot from a neighboring forest, a source in law-enforcement services told Interfax.

"High winds caused the flames to spread to the ammunition depot. The fire-fighting effort was a failure, although more than a hundred fire fighters were involved," the source said.

The source said that explosions have come to an end at the ammunition depot.

"All residents of the village of Bolshaya Tura are being evacuated - a total of over 300. No one has been injured," the source said.

Representatives of the military command and rescue workers are on their way to the scene, he added.