KIEV, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine has launched a mine-clearing operation around an ammunition depot in northern Chernigiv region, which was hit by fire and blasts, the country's State Service for Emergencies said on Wednesday.

The operation involves 110 de-mining experts and 40 units of equipment in a town and three villages surrounding the depot, the agency said in a statement.

A total of more than 1,000 emergency response personnel are working at the site to extinguish the fire, which entered its second day, the agency said.

The fire started overnight Tuesday at the ammunition warehouse, which lies near the town of Ichnya, about 170 km east of Kiev.

The blaze triggered the subsequent massive detonation of the ammunition, scattering debris in 38 towns and villages surrounding the depot that contained about 69,500 tons of ammo.

The mine-clearing operation is set to be completed by mid-December.