MANILA, Philippines – One died while 23 people were rushed to various hospitals following an ammonia leak and fire at the Icy Point Cold Storage in Barangay Northbay Boulevard North, Navotas City.
The death toll and injuries in Monday night’s ammonia leak in Navotas were not the first of their kind. Two people died in 2021 and another in 2022.
The most recent victim, a 16-year-old male with an underlying health condition, died, authorities said. He was rushed to Manila Central University Hospital, but police are still investigating what caused his death.
The Navotas City Public Information Office (PIO) said the ammonia leak was reported at 11 p.m. on Monday while the fire broke out at 12:06 a.m. on Tuesday.
“Our City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) Joint Rescue Team, [the] Bureau of Fire Protection – Navotas, and the fire volunteers immediately responded to the site. The responders initially focused on securing those affected by the ammonia leak and then shifted to fire fighting,” said Navotas PIO in a statement.
BFP declared a fire out at 1:57 a.m., right before they pronounced that they secured the control valve that stopped the ammonia leak.
Twenty-three residents were rushed to Navotas City Hospital and Tondo Medical Center, but only two patients remained at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.
Temporary closure of the Icy Point Cold Storage was ordered. According to Navotas City PIO, this is due to the pending investigation of the incidents.