1 killed in ’cracker plant explosion

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — A firecracker factory worker was killed while four of her companions were seriously injured when materials for pyrotechnic devices ignited and exploded in Barangay Igulot, Bocaue, Bulacan, over the weekend.

Reports reaching here identified the lone fatality as Adelaida Antigma, 57, of Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte. She sustained body burns and expired while being treated at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila.

Those seriously wounded, and taken to the PGH, were Dalia Torbe, 16, Nida Valenzuela, 24, and Olly Aloc, 24, all of Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte and residing at Sitio Riles in Barangay Igulot; and Loreta Miguellas, 29, of Valenzuela City.

The victims were working at the Sky Rocket Factory, owned by a certain Mylene Paminiano, police said.

Following a series of explosions in Bulacan, police authorities have intensified their campaign against illegal firecracker manufacturers.

Sr. Supt. Edgar Acuña, Bulacan police director, said they have arrested a certain Baby dela Cruz of Bocaue for making five-star firecrackers.

Acuña said that a sackful of deadly Super Lolo firecarckers was also seized from pyrotechnics manufacturers. — Ric Sapnu