3 hurt as Palaro cauldron cracks in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY–At least three persons were hurt when they were hit by debris after a portion of the gas-operated Palarong Pambansa cauldron at the Bicol University-Albay Sports Complex here cracked on Thursday night, police said on Friday.

Senior Insp. Maria Louisa Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Bicol regional police, said three people were taking pictures near the concrete “coron” or cauldron at 10:30 p.m. when they heard a cracking sound followed by a minor explosion. The concrete cauldron, with three images of sili (chili pepper) serving as posts, had been lighted since Sunday when the Palarong Pambansa opened here.
 
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, in a Facebook post, said a Bureau of Fire Protection report showed that the upper lip of the cauldron cracked due to overheating caused by the continuous burning of the stove and the extreme heat in the past days.

“Except for the upper lip concrete cracks, no other damage was sustained by the structure. Total damage is P6,000 to P15,000,” he said.

Reports said two victims, Thea Nocedo, 31, and Susan Ocfemia, 59, are employees of the Albay Sports Office. The third victim, a man, has yet to be identified by police.

They were taken to the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital here. CDG

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