10 injured in explosion at Bulacan fireworks factory

Ten people were injured after a fire broke out at a fireworks factory in Santa Maria, Bulacan on Thursday, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Four of the victims sustained serious injuries and rushed to the hospital.

Super Radyo dzBB's Glen Juego reported the fire started at 1 p.m. in Barangay Pulong Buhangin and reached the first alarm.

In a separate interview with Super Radyo dzBB, BFP-Region 3 public information officer Fire Captain Arvin Catipon said based on initial investigation, a spark from a drill started the fire which eventually resulted to explosions.

“Sa initial investigation natin ay isa sa trabahador ay nagbabarena sa area at nag-cause ng spark, tapos nataranta ata siya kaya naitapon mismo ang drill doon kung nasaan nakalagay 'yung mga paputok,” he said.

Some houses in the area were affected despite being far from the incident. Traces and debris from fireworks were seen after the fire.

Students in the nearby school were startled by the explosion.

“Kapag ganon karami 'yung nakaimbak, kahit anong layo niyan aabutin talaga. Katunayan, dito sa kabilang compound, nandito na 'yung may mga bahay, nakikita ko rito may mga pakete pa rin dito ng mga paputok eh,” said Santa Maria Bulacan Police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Christian Alucod.

The authorities are currently conducting an investigation to determine if there are other affected individuals. They are also examining if the factory's business permit is still valid.

“Kanina, 'yung taga-Public Information Office ng Santa Maria, Bulacan ay binanggit niya na noon may permit. So ngayon, ibe-verify pa nila, ang alam nila noon may permit ito,” Alucod added.

Catipon expressed belief the factory has no permit from the BFP.

“Sa BFP ay walang permit ito, talagang bawal ang pagawaan ng paputok na may katabing mga bahay kaya napakaimposible na magkaroon 'yan ng permit,” he said.—AOL, GMA News