BAGHDAD, Iraq (September 24, 9:49 p.m. ADT) - A bomb placed near the outside wall of the hotel in Baghdad where the NBC television network has offices killed a guard and slightly injured a network soundman on Thursday, Iraqi police said.
Iraqi police said the bomb was placed about one yard from the wall of the al-Aike Hotel in a hut that housed a generator.
Lt. Col. Salman Kareem said the bomb killed a Somali guard in his sleep. He said damage to the hotel in south-central Baghdad was minimal, mainly broken glass.
NBC correspondent Jim Avila said there were no signs on the building indicating NBC had quarters there.
A dozen NBC staffers were inside the building when the explosion occurred, and a Canadian soundman, David Moodie, was slightly injured by flying glass.
"I was awake," Moodie said. "A chest of drawers in the room fell on me. I sleep in the room immediately above the generator, so I guess I was lucky."
Moodie said he suffered one deep cut from flying glass and would require stitches. He said no other NBC employees were hurt.
The television network has four security guards, two from a British firm and two Iraqis hired for night duty.
guard ; NBC soundman injured
By TAREK AL-ISSAWI, Associated Press