At least four people died and six others were injured after a firecracker manufacturing facility in Barangay Bigaa, Cabuyao City, Laguna exploded afternoon on February 1, 2024.

Residents reported hearing powerful explosions before a fire broke out.

According to authorities, all four fatalities were employees of the facility.

"Mishandling po so hindi pa rin po masigurado kung mayroon pong nag-trigger sa apoy or [may] nagsigarilyo, or anything na nag-trigger ng sunog, and then 'yun nga po, nag-create ng explosion," PLTCol. John Eric Antonio, Chief of Cabuyao City Police Station, said.

The firecracker manufacturing facility operated legally and had the necessary permits.

"Nasira po including ‘yung mga walls nila... divided 'yung roof nila na nagko-cover sa pagawaan. Sa ngayon po nag-initial po kami ng assessment with the EOD regarding po doon sa mga natira na raw materials. Initially nagdi-dispose na rin po [kami] ng raw materials with the EOD," Antonio said.

No other building was affected.

Antonio advised owners of firecracker facilities:

"Sa mga katulad na pagawaan [ng paputok], ang advise natin [is] maging meticulous 'yung ating mga owner sa kanilang mga workers na i-ensure na talagang properly handled 'yung kanilang substances or ‘yung kanilang materials sa paputok," he said.

Investigation is ongoing, as of this writing, to determine the exact cause of the explosion.