2 workers dead in chemical blast

BULACAN--Two firecracker factory workers in Bocaue town were killed while another was hurt after containers of chemicals exploded and started a fire in their production area in Barangay Duhat on Friday night.

Pedrito Torcino and Ogie Asero, who worked at E and B firecracker factory, died following the explosion and fire at 10:30 p.m., Bocaue police chief Supt. Ronald de Jesus said.

Another worker, Edwin Torcino, suffered burns and was taken to Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital in Manila.

De Jesus said investigators were checking if electrical sparks from a plugged household appliance near the area triggered the explosion. Carmela Reyes, Inquirer Central Luzon

Wife of Fariñas’ brother found dead

LAOAG CITY-- The wife of businessman Eric Fariñas, younger brother of former Ilocos Norte Gov. Rodolfo Fariñas, was found dead at the family’s house in Paoay town on Jan. 2.

Police said Rosalyn Paguyo, 56, was found in the couple’s bedroom at around 6 p.m. after caretakers alerted family members that she had not been out of the room since Dec. 31.

Paoay police chief Senior Insp. Dexter Corpuz said initial findings by doctors showed she died of severe bleeding in the brain. Cristina Arzadon, Inquirer Northern Luzon

3 grass owls rescued

PANGASINAN--Police on Friday rescued three grass owl fledglings from a grassy patch in Barangay Tuliao in Sta. Barbara town.

Town police chief Supt. Eric Noble said his deputy, Insp. Isaias Dominguez, found the owls while on patrol.

“We took them before people would find and roast them,” Noble said. The fledglings were turned over to the local office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon

Safety reminders for beachgoers

PANGASINAN--The local government has posted safety reminders for people going to the Lingayen beach following a series of drowning incidents there in the last nine days.

Lingayen police chief Supt. Harris Fama said Mayor Ernesto Castañeda Jr. had ordered the immediate construction of six signboards enumerating basic rules that beachgoers should observe.

The signboards, whose texts are written in Filipino, warn people against swimming when drunk or when waves are big and strong. It also tells visitors not to allow children to swim without an adult companion and supervise those who do not know how to swim.

At least five persons, most of them children, drowned off the beach area since Dec. 25. Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon

2 dead in car accident

BALANGA CITY--Two persons were killed on Jan. 1 when their car lost control and rammed into a big acacia tree on Roman Superhighway in Barangay Cataning in Balanga City, police said.

Ryan Matic Legaspi, 26, of Abucay town, died on the spot while and Jennelyn Vesonia, 18, of Balanga, died before reaching the Bataan General Hospital, police said.

Investigators said Legaspi, who was driving the car, could have had a quarrel with Vesonia when the accident occurred. Greg Refraccion, Inquirer Central Luzon