Mandalay (Mizzima) – According to the Mandalay Division Fire Brigade, a fire broke out inside the Army Officers’ Mess in Mandalay palace yesterday evening.
The fire originated in the Garrison Engineer Officers' Mess near the western gate of Mandalay palace at the corner of 80th and 21st Streets at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday evening.
"The fire started in the kitchen of the Garrison Engineer Officers' Mess and lasted over 20 minutes," an official from the Mandalay Fire Brigade confirmed.
The fire destroyed only some army buildings and did not damage the ancient palace buildings, he said. However, most of the ancient palace in question was only rebuilt over the course of the last 15 years.
Artifacts and royal memorabilia used by Burmese kings, along with examples of royal architecture, are displayed at the Mandalay Palace Museum.
