Fire breaks out as chemical tanker plows through homes, vehicles in Cavite

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines—A wayward chemical tanker whose driver had fallen asleep sideswiped three vehicles before finally crashing into a row of houses, causing a brief fire in Dasmariñas City in Cavite early Tuesday, police said.

According to Superintendent Ulysses Cruz, Dasmariñas police chief, the driver of the tanker lost control of the vehicle, which sideswiped another truck, a car and a van, all of which were at the Pala-pala junction and all headed towards Tagaytay City, at around 1:30 a.m.

The tanker stopped when it hit three houses on the side of the road. A fire broke out but firefighters were able to put it out after around 30 minutes.

The ten-wheel tanker, which police said belonged to the Absolute Chemicals Inc., carried food-grade alcohol used in the manufacture of liquor.

“Fortunately, the tanker only hit the front of the houses and none of the residents inside were injured,” Cruz said.

The police held the tanker’s driver, identified as Reynaldo Lagran, 40, who sustained minor burns from the accident. He was to be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property.

“(Lagran) said he fell asleep while driving,” Cruz said.