Fire breaks out at gas factory in downtown Rangoon

by Mizzima News

Friday, 19 December 2008 16:39

New Delhi (Mizzima) - A fire broke out this afternoon following an explosion at a government-owned gas factory in Rangoon's downtown township of Botahtaung, confirmed a fire brigade official. An official from Rangoon's central fire station told Mizzima that the fire erupted from an explosion at a gas factory located on Thanlyet Soon Road near the Lanesdown bus stop in Botahtaung Township. "The fire is now extinguished. It started at about 1:40 p.m. (local time) and was extinguished by 2 p.m.," the official told Mizzima. The official, however, failed to explain the cause of the explosion at the factory, and it remains unclear what type of gas the factory produces. An employee at an electronics shop near the gas factory said she heard the blast, which is believed to have been caused from the explosion of a gas cylinder. "I heard the explosion, and people said it was from an explosion of a gas cylinder," the employee said. A local eyewitness, speaking to Mizzima, said the explosion was inside the factory and was not visible from outside. The extent of physical and financial damage caused by the blaze remains unknown. < Prev   Next >