Iraq ammunition depot fire blamed on heat

Iraqi authorities said high temperatures caused a fire at an ammunition depot at Camp Taji, a major military base north of Baghdad, on Sunday.

Defence ministry spokesman Yehia Rasool said the fire broke out in a warehouse containing ammunition belonging to the 9th armoured division.

The government security media cell said an explosion erupted inside Camp Taji and that some ammunition detonated due to the heat. It said firefighters were battling the fire.

Camp Taji previously hosted troops from a US-led anti-jihadist coalition before they vacated it, along with other bases.

Explosions at military bases and munitions warehouses are relatively frequent in Iraq. Fires also increase during the summer months, when temperatures approach 50C.