Blast from chemical tank damages Bulacan houses–police

MARILAO, Bulacan–A chemical tank of a local factory exploded early Wednesday, sending debris that damaged at least 30 houses and the fire station in Barangay (village) Loma de Gato, police said on Thursday.

The tank of the WT Treat Chemical Trading Corp. blew up during a thunderstorm at past 12 a.m. The plant’s resident engineer, Rufino Damayo, said lightning and the downpour may have raised the pressure inside the facility that caused the tank to blow up.

WT Treat processes chemicals to produce hydrogen peroxide, a cleaning agent.

Superintendent Romeo Rillo, Bulacan fire marshal, said the blast tore through house ceilings, walls and fences. Even the glass wall of the Loma de Gato fire station was shattered, he said.

Rillo said they were validating Damayo’s claims as they started an investigation to determine whether the factory would be allowed to continue operating in the neighborhood.

A resident, Winnie Lucio, 42, complained that her legs were hurt after being struck by debris, Rillo said.