Fire and explosions cause panic near military camp in Burundi

A fire triggered by an electrical fault at a military camp in Musaga, Burundi, caused ammunition explosions, prompting residents to flee. Authorities confirmed it was not an attack, and calm returned the next morning with displaced civilians being reunited with families

Bujumbura: Residents of an area near a military camp in Burundi fled on Tuesday night after explosions were heard coming from the camp, due to what the army spokesperson later said was a fire caused due to an electrical fault at the armory.

A fire caused by a short circuit in the ammunition storage room led to the detonation of explosives at the military camp located in Musaga, in the suburbs of the commercial hub of Bujumbura, said army spokesperson Gaspard Baratuza.

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The huge fire was visible from miles away, and residents could be seen fleeing from areas near the camp in videos shared on social media.

“We would like to reassure the public that this is in no way an enemy attack, despite some rumours that have begun to circulate,” Baratuza said.

Electricity within the camp and neighbouring areas was cut off as civilians moved away from the camp.

“We ask residents of the Gasekebuye, Kanyosha, Kinindo areas and surrounding neighbourhoods to remain calm and not give in to panic,” Baratuza said.

By Wednesday morning, calm was returning to the area, and the local government administrator said some children who fled during the incident were at the Buhonga Catholic Parish waiting to be reunited with their families.