Explosives kept at a deserted weaponry storehouse of Jilin Oilfield in northeast China exploded early on Sunday, injuring at least five people and damaging adjacent flats, local sources said.

Residents nearby were awaken by the huge sound from the explosion, and the window glass of several houses was damaged. The injured, who got hurt mainly from the broken glass, were sent to hospital, said the sources.

The weaponry storehouse is administered by the military equipment department of Jilin Oilfield based in Songyuan City, Jilin Province. However, no weapons are kept in the storehouse, which is used for temporarily storing a small quantity of explosives for oil exploiting.

The cause of the explosion is under further investigation.

(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2004)