Russian defence ministry denies fire at munitions depot in Trans-Baikalia

The Russian Defense Ministry has dismissed reports of a fire at munitions depots on the premises of a military unit in the Lesnoi Gorodok community, the Chita Region.
"There have been no explosions of ammunition. The territory is surrounded by a firebreak. There is no risk of a flare-up," the Defense Ministry’s spokesman told TASS.

"The burning of grass and shrubs in the territory adjoining the warehouses of a military unit has been eliminated by fire-fighting teams. Fire-fighters keep spraying water on the area," he added.

The Defense Ministry said the fire had spread to the military unit’s territory from a nearby gardening community with strong wind.

Earlier, local authorities said that explosions could be heard, scared locals were leaving the area and the population was instructed to pack bags and keep IDs and other documents handy.

A similar incident occurred in Trans-Baikalia about a year ago. A forest fire then spread to a munitions depot near the Bolshaya Tura and Kadakhta communities. The incident claimed eleven lives and harmed 45 other people. The fire damaged nearly 150 homes and ruined a school and a pre-school childcare centre.