2011 Rangoon explosion
Location of Yangon Region in Burma
LocationMingala Taungnyunt, Yangon, Burma
Date29 December 2011
Deaths17
Injured83

On December 29, 2011, police in Myanmar (also known as Burma) reported a fire followed by several explosions killing at least 17 people and injuring 83 in Yangon. The dead included five firefighters who were caught in an explosion during the blaze.[1]

The blasts occurred as firefighters were putting out the blaze that had started in a state-owned warehouse before spreading to other buildings and nearby homes before dawn. The earthshaking explosion hit and destroyed over 100 houses, 26 warehouses and two monasteries as well as four fire engines.[2][3][4] The explosions rocked the entire city, jolting residents from sleep. A 40 feet (12 m) wide and 15 feet (4.6 m) deep crater was visible at the site.

The two owners leased the warehouses from the state for storing electronic goods, chemicals and herbal materials which remained as the highly accessed cause of the violent fire and blast.[5]

References

  1. "Burma fire at Rangoon warehouse leaves 16 dead". The Guardian. 29 December 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  2. "Dozens Dead And Hurt In Warehouse Blaze". News.sky.com. 2011-12-29. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  3. "BBC News - Burma blast kills at least 17 in Rangoon". Bbc.co.uk. 2011-12-29. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  4. "Myanmar blast kills, injures dozens - PhotoBlog". Photoblog.msnbc.msn.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  5. "Two warehouse owners arrested for Yangon deadly fire, explosion". Xinhwa. 4 January 2012. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2013.


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