ULYANOVSK, November 14 (RIA Novosti) - The bodies of two servicemen have been found at a naval weapons depot in the Russian Volga city of Ulyanovsk which burst into flames on Friday night, the Defense Ministry said.

"A group of sappers reached the area where the fire broke out, and found the bodies of two servicemen," ministry spokesman Col. Alexei Kuznetsov told RIA Novosti on Saturday.

The men who had been working with a fire team to prevent the spread of the blaze, he said.

A total of 44 others were injured in the explosions and fire at the depot.

Ulyanovsk Governor Sergei Morozov earlier said that shockwaves from the explosions smashed windows in nine schools and 20 kindergartens. Due to damage to housing, 105 people have been placed in hotels, including 17 children. They are being provided with food and clothing.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the explosions are believed to have occurred while ammunition was being destroyed at the depot. Twenty firefighting crews were called in to fight the ensuing blaze, which was put out during the night.

Morozov said that six unexploded artillery shells have been found in the vicinity of the depot, and that dangerous weaponry is likely to be moved to another location. The team of 17 sappers is searching the surrounding area.