15 dead in Myanmar warehouse blast

A huge explosion early on Thursday at a warehouse on the outskirts of Yangon left at least 15 people dead, among them five women, officials said.

The blast took place around 2.00 a.m. in Mingalartaungnyung, about five kilometres east of downtown Yangon.

A huge fire engulfed the warehouse after the blast. The cause of the explosion was not immediately known.

A fire official said that at least 15 people have died and about 60 others injured. According to Xinhua, more than 10 fire-engines were used to douse the fire.

A local resident said the explosion was very loud.