MANILA, Philippines — Five persons died and four others were injured in an explosion at an illegal fireworks factory in Calamba, Laguna yesterday morning.
Killed in the blast were Leticia Coral, 83; Kenneth Buebo, 24; James Darwin Delloson, 22; Ryan James Gutierrez, 19, and JM Sancha, 18.
Chief Superintendent Jaime Ramirez, Bureau of Fire Protection Calabarzon director, said the explosion occurred in one of the houses at a subdivision in Barangay Majada at around 11:15 a.m.
Four other houses caught fire due to the explosion.
Damage to property was initially placed at P1.4 million.
The fire was declared out at past noon.
Probers said four persons – Jude Nelson Coral, Jenaro Vallentino, Isagani Batalla and Joey Escano – were identified as the owners of the house, which was converted into a fireworks factory.
Barangay chairman Larry Dimayuga said the fatalities were trapped in the house when the fire broke out.
He said initial investigation showed the explosion occurred in the kitchen. - Ed Amoroso