5 killed, 21 injured in Zamboanga firecracker storage explosion

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A warehouse storing stocks of pyrotechnics and firecrackers accidentally exploded late yesterday, killing five people and injuring 21 others.

The explosion ripped through the warehouse in Marquez Compound, Barangay Tetuan here. It also damaged several residential and commercial buildings nearby.

Col. Kimberly Molitas, Zamboanga City Police Office acting director, said a minor was among the five killed in the incident.

Molitas added that firemen and medical responders rushed the injured to different hospitals for treatment.

“Most of those injured were workers of the warehouse,” Molitas said, adding that investigators are still determining the cause of the explosion.

However, he ruled out terrorism as among the causes, citing the accounts of several witnesses.

“We heard a series of firecracker explosions. Then, suddenly, the massive blast came shaking our building,” said witness Raymond Enriquez, a worker at a nearby construction supply store.

Molitas said the owner, Jonathan Chua, was "very distraught and in state of shock and could still not provide information about the incident.”

“We will provide the needed assistance to the injured workers and civilians who were brought to the hospitals,” Mayor John Dalipe assured.