4 hurt in Makati restaurant blast

MAKATI, Philippines — Four people, all Chinese, were injured when a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank exploded in a restaurant in Makati City on Thursday night.

Kitchen helper Cao Yue Giang, 45, suffered second-degree burns while his fellow helper Liang Zhang, 37, and passersby Ting Tang, 26, and Yun Long Liu, 27, suffered cuts when the explosion occurred in Judianchuanba restaurant on Yakal street at around 8:45 p.m., according to a report from case investigator EM/Sgt. Freddie Barriento.

They were brought to the Makati Medical Center.

Police investigators said broken glass, kitchen materials and pieces of concrete were scattered within and outside the restaurant.

They also saw an LPG hose with a burned end, indicating a leak might have caused the explosion.

 Police said around P180,000 worth of property was damaged in the blast.

The city government yesterday ordered the closure of the restaurant, which was found to have been operating without a mayor’s permit.