Fire and Explosions Reported at Military Base in Transbaikal
Explosions and a large fire have been reported at a military base near the village of Bolshaya Tura in Russia’s Zabaykalsky Krai.
According to Russian media and local sources, nearby residents witnessed the incident.
Firefighting efforts are underway, with aviation support including a Mi-8 helicopter deployed to contain the blaze, which has produced heavy smoke visible from afar.
Local authorities have only stated that a small fire occurred within a restricted area of the military facility, adding that the Russian Ministry of Defense representatives should address the situation.
Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) reported that unexploded ordnance detonated in a field as a result of the fire. A specialized military fire brigade is currently working at the scene. A total of 25 personnel and eight units of equipment have been deployed to fight the blaze, including nine EMERCOM staff and three specialized vehicles. Local residents also reported the arrival of a firefighting train.
The head of the district where the settlement is located stated that the fire broke out in the same area where artillery ammunition depots exploded in April 2014.
The fire and explosions resulted in the deaths of 10 people, including the warehouse manager and some of the staff. The cause of the fire was a crown forest fire that spread to the warehouse area.
The blasts damaged several houses in nearby settlements and destroyed a school.
It appears that the Russians did not restore the operations of this artillery ammunition depot after the fire.
Reportedly, there was also a fire at the depot earlier this May.
Back then, aviation and a firefighting train were involved in extinguishing the fire. No population evacuation was performed, but some locals left their homes on their own, fearing a repeat of the 2014 incident.
