CAMP JULIAN OLIVAS, Pampanga – At least one person died while several others sustained injuries during an explosion that affected several fireworks stores in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, concurrent chair of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), disclosed they are still verifying the actual number of casualties after citing police reports that one person was confirmed dead.
The unidentified victim was reportedly thrown away several meters from the blast site due to the force of the explosion.
Bocaue mayor Joni Villanueva surmised that strong rains the night before could have caused reaction on some chemicals specifically when the sun started to shine the following day.
“Unfortunately, we are hearing some people are dead already but we don’t have the exact figures,” said Villanueva.
The Governor said the fire had been contained early Wednesday afternoon, and that he ordered an immediate investigation into the explosion that also led to a fire that reached fourth alarm.
An initial report reveal that the first explosion started in the store of a certain Dina Gonzales in Barangay Binang First which was then followed by two more powerful blasts, destroying four vehicles parked within the area.
Authorities estimate that at least 11 people were injured by the blast. (FRANCO G. REGALA)