5 dead in Zamboanga City fireworks warehouse blast

An explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Zamboanga City's Barangay Tetuan on Saturday killed five people and injured at least 24 others.

According to a Sunday GMA Integrated News Bulletin, the blast shattered windows and damaged several houses near the warehouse.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion.

Meanwhile, GMA Regional TV's Efren Mamac reported on 24 Oras Weekend that among those killed in the explosion were the warehouse's security guard and his four-year-old son.

“Ang lakas talaga ang impact niya. Tumakbo na kami palabas. Madilim siya, maraming pulbura,” resident Divina Sumambot said.

(It was a powerful explosion. We ran outside. It was dark. There was so much gunpowder.)

The explosion caused some P62.5 million in property damage.

The blast also started a fire that took three hours to put out.

According to Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe, the warehouse owner was the sole licensed operator of a firecracker business in the city.

Authorities said they would investigate why the fireworks warehouse was in a residential area.

Dalipe also said he would look into the proposed total ban on fireworks in Zamboanga City.

“Hintayin muna natin kung ano ang resulta ng imbestigasyon,” Dalipe said.

(Let us wait for the results of the investigation.)

The Zamboanga City Social Welfare and Development Office was identifying the victims and affected families to provide aid.

GMA Regional TV is seeking comments from the warehouse owner, who has yet to reply as of this posting. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/DVM, GMA Integrated News