3 hurt in pyro factory blast

CEBU, Philippines - Three people, including a 16-year-old boy were injured after a makeshift firecracker factory exploded yesterday afternoon in Purok Radar, Barangay Babag 2, Lapu-Lapu City.

Noli Aying, 21 and Marlon Docanes suffered second degree burns while Jonathan Tante, 16, sustained third-degree burns. They were brought to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

They are now under observation.

The victims were making firecrackers in  the small nipa hut owned by Felisa Aying at around 2 p.m. yesterday, when they noticed a spark from one of the pieces that caused the explosion.

Personnel of the Bureau of Fire and Protection who responded to the fire incident said they are still conducting further assessment of the damage caused by the fire.

With three months before the celebration of Christmas, pyrotechnics makers in Barangay Babag have intensified their operations to answer the demand of consumers during Christmas and the New Year. — /BRP (FREEMAN)