1 killed, another wounded as firecracker ‘factory’ in Iligan explodes
ILIGAN CITY, Philippines — A 34-year-old man was killed while a woman was injured in an explosion allegedly involving chemicals used in firecracker manufacturing in Barangay Upper Tominobo here on Thursday afternoon, November 5, police said.
In a spot report, the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO) said personnel of Police Station 2 responded to the reported explosion at around 3:30 p.m. in Purok 11, Caritas Village.
Initial investigation showed that the man was allegedly mixing and experimenting with sulfuric acid, sulfur and other chemical ingredients for firecracker manufacturing when the explosion occurred.
READ: No one hurt in 2 firecracker factory explosions in Bulacan
The blast killed the man instantly while the woman suffered injuries and was left disoriented that she was unable to provide a formal statement when questioned later by the police.
READ: Fatalities in Pangasinan fireworks blast increase to five
Personnel of the barangay and city disaster risk reduction and management offices, along with the Bureau of Fire Protection, responded to the scene to conduct emergency response and retrieval operations.
The police also requested the Explosive and Ordnance Disposal-K9 team to conduct clearing operations for possible residual hazardous chemical substances.
The ICPO’s City Field Unit was also dispatched to the area. /cb
