Lack of witnesses stall Bocaue blast probe

The lack of witnesses and leads in a fire that hit a row of firecracker stores in Bocaue town in Bulacan province last New Year's Eve is starting to demoralize investigators. Radio dzBB reported Friday that while investigators have established that a lighted cigarette sparked the fire, they could not get leads on who threw the cigarette. Bocaue police Inspector Bernardo Dizon said they are having a hard time locating the suspect because of the lack of witnesses who can give them leads on his or her whereabouts. Dizon said that until they get fresh leads, they will not have enough basis to file criminal charges against the culprit. However, Bulacan Gov. Joselito "Jon-jon" Mendoza refused to accept this, saying he wants someone held accountable for the fire that he said cost many firecracker vendors their livelihood. Last Monday, a fire destroyed several firecracker stalls in Bocaue, injuring several persons including members of a television electronic newsgathering (ENG) team. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said it is eyeing revoking the permits of owners of stalls where the fire started. - GMANews.TV