16 Injured in Powerful Explosion in Philippine Army Headquarters

(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) r/>Manila May 07 - An estimated 16 people including soldiers and firemen were wounded after a powerful explosion rocked the Philippine Army's Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) building on Wednesday a military official said.

Colonel Noel Detoyato spokesman of the Philippine Army was quoted by local media as saying that some of the injured have already been rushed to various hospitals while those with minor injuries were treated on site.

Detoyato said the Philippine Red Cross have set up a tent in the Philippine Army's headquarters in Fort Bonifacio Taguig City in the Philippine capital region of Metro Manila to help treat the wounded.

Prior to the powerful explosion a fire broke out in the EOD building at around 10:40 a.m. local time Wednesday. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the blaze.

Military officials said the blast caused the building of the armory to collapse.