RIA Novosti

AN EXPLOSION AND SUBSEQUENT FIRE AT A MILITARY DEPOT in Ulyanovsk, Russia, Friday has caused significant damage while killing two military firefighters and injuring at least 20 others.  At first there were thought to be more than 30 missing, but they were found later sequestered in a bomb shelter and escorted to safety.  The facility is a Russian Navy arsenal where weapons and ammunition are stored.  Officials say that there are “thousand of carloads” of ammunition kept in the depot.

NTV

The Russian Defense Ministry said the initial explosion took place around 4 pm local time (8 am Eastern time) “apparently during the disposal of ammunition.  The explosion in one of its workshops led to a fire which spread onto adjacent buildings of the military units,” the statement said. “The surrounding area is cordoned off. Fifteen fire brigades … are trying to localize the fire.”   The fire response was later upgraded to 20 companies.

CNN has this raw video from VESTI-TV:

Local hospitals were flooded with civilians suffering from cuts by broken glass caused by the long succession of explosions that at one point were occurring every 30 seconds.  Two trucks loaded with gunpowder also exploded.  Provincial governor Sergei Morozov said 3,000 people were evacuated from the area.

Russia Today has this excellent English-language video report that goes into more detail of the fire and the causes:

The two firefighters that perished were part of a team that was working to keep the fire from spreading within the compound.

This report will be updated if and when any further information is released.