EIGHT people on Thursday were injured in an explosion in a fireworks factory in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.
Bulacan Police Provincial Office Director Col. Relly B. Arnedo identified the victims as Monrenzo Victoria and Marissa Victoria, operators of the fireworks manufacturing site; Jessie Cruz; Lourdes Policarpio; Teofila Horfilla, Mary Ann Horfilla, Amanda Vicente, all fireworks employees; and Christine Amper.
Monzero was seriously hurt.
The Victorias, Cruz and Policarpio were brought to Rogaciano Mercado Hospital while the Horfillas, Vicente and Amper were treated at a local health clinic.
Arnedo said the explosion occurred at a firecrackers factory in Manggahan, Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria town.
An initial investigation showed that a spark from a drill started the fire.
“isa sa mga trabahador ay nagbabarena sa area at nag-cause ng spark, tapos nataranta ata siya kaya naitapon mismo ang drill doon kung nasaan nakalagay ‘yung mga paputok,” Bureau of Fire Protection-Region 3 public information officer Fire Captain Arvin Catipon said.
Police learned that the fireworks factory is operating without a necessary permit.
Arnedo said appropriate criminal charges are being readied for filing in court against the owner of the said factory.
