Most of those injured after the explosions began early Sunday were local residents. The blasts completely destroyed several nearby buildings.

Seven people remained hospitalised in serious condition, the source said.

The ensuing fire at the arsenal, which stocked naval and artillery shells, was brought under control by midday.

The cause of the explosions was not known, but one theory was that the blasts were sparked by a stray firework.

Some 2,000 residents were evacuated but gradually returned to their homes as the danger cleared, although explosions of munitions could still be heard overnight Sunday.

The arsenal was one of 20 found around residential areas in Russia's far east.

It was the fifth such incident in the Pacific Fleet's arsenals in the past ten years.

In the previous incident last autumn, fire devastated a weapons stockpile in Vladivostok, raging for a full day before being brought under control.

WAR.WIRE