No firecracker ban in Zamboanga Chinese New Year

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  – The Chinese community here can celebrate its New Year today with fireworks as the city has not imposed ban on the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics following the accidental series of powerful explosions of huge stocks of firecrackers last week, an official said here.

But the religious sector called on the ban on the sale and use of firecrackers after 33 persons were indirectly injured Friday.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team reported to the “Task Force Pacific,” a body formed to investigate the accident, reported during a meeting that the improper storage of the firecrackers in the container vans inside the compound of Pacific Trading owned by Benjamin Chiong caused the powerful explosions and subsequent big fire.

The EOD reported to the task force headed by city Fire Marshal Superintendent Jaime Ramirez that an estimated 60,000 pounds of explosives from the huge stocks of firecrackers caused the explosion.

The firecrackers were stored in two 20-footer vans and two other vans that contained combustible materials placed in an open area.

“Based on the investigation it was accidental because the parts of the stocks of firecrackers were placed inside a closed container van and the accumulated heat might have triggered the explosion,” an EOD personnel told the body during the crisis management meeting called by Mayor Celso Lobregat.

At least 16 houses in the immediate and adjacent compound went up in smoke while the formed task force was assessing the destruction caused by the powerful explosions.

“We want a thorough investigation on this case and will not leave any stone unturned and the evidences should hold water for the filing of the case,” Lobregat said.

Lobregat said his Executive Order No. CL-384-2011 that formed the task force directed the body to conduct impartial investigation on the causes, determine laws violated and the degree of culpability of persons and their liabilities, thorough inspect and conduct inventory of all warehouses of firecracker dealers and if compliances were followed.