Major fire at ammo dump in Vavuniya !!!

Major fire broke out in an ammunition dump at the Wanni Army Headquarters in Vavuniya last evening, destroying a large quantity of outdated ammunition, the army said.

“A stock of unserviceable artillery ammunition, kept aside in one corner of the Wanni Security Forces Headquarters in Vavuniya, caught fire yesterday evening at about 5.45 pm while soldiers were removing them to be taken to a more secured area before disposal,” Army Headquarters said.

After two hours, fire fighters were able to minimise the spread of the fire, it added.

Meanwhile, an army official in the area said that the ammunition dump exploded with a series of loud bangs. Soon after the incident, people in the vicinity were evacuated and
several roads close to the Wanni Headquarters were closed to traffic until the fire was brought under control.

No damage or injuries had been caused by the accidental explosion, as the stock was old.
However, the military is to launch an inquiry into the incident to find the cause of the fire -- whether it was sabotage or an accident.

Last Saturday, a similar incident was reported from the Jaffna army complex, when a fire broke out at an unserviceable ammunition dump inside the high security zone. It had lasted for a few hours; however no damage or injuries were reported.

A special investigation is currently underway to find the cause of the fire at the Jaffna dump.