Blaze at British base kills two soldiers

Two soldiers from the Royal Logistic Corps were killed yesterday in what is thought to have been a "domestic" blaze at Camp Bastion – the British military base in southern Afghanistan.

The incident, which was being investigated last night, was not believed to have been caused by enemy action and next of kin had been informed, said the Ministry of Defence.

Wing Commander Martin Tinworth, a spokesman at the camp in Helmand province, said: "Both soldiers were involved in vital support work for the UK forces who continue to bring hope and stability across Afghanistan. Our heartfelt condolences go out to both soldiers' family and friends at this deeply sad time."#

He confirmed that the soldiers died in a fire and more information would be released when known. The blaze could have been caused by a boiler rather than a kitchen or weapons-related incident, he said.

The deaths take to 356 the number of British military personnel killed in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001.