Lapu-Lapu firecracker factory explodes: 4 killed in fire

CEBU, Philippines — At least four people were killed in a fire that burned down a firecracker factory following an explosion in Purok Judas Belt, Barangay Babag II, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday afternoon.

The fatalities were identified as Chito Berdin, the owner of Chito's Fireworks; his daughter Gwendolyn Berdin Lucero, 31; and their production workers Kristian Monsanto, 34, and Argie Escobia, 30.

Suffering from third-degree burn were eight-year-old John Raniel Berdin, Justin Yonas, 24, and Jeff Resonable, 20. Others injured were Maria Johanna Berdin and two others who have not been named yet. They have all been brought to the hospital for immediate medical attention.

As of press time, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office were still checking if there were still others in the house during the fire.

The fire broke out at 1:44 in the afternoon and was put under control an hour later. It was declared fire out at 3:35pm.

FO1 Lucela Dultra, assistant of communications and electronics of Lapu-Lapu City Fire District said the fire involved one house with two families.

“Ang gihimo-an sa pabuto nara pud kilid sa ilang balay. Under investigation pa gyud kung unsa gyud ang hinungdan sa sunog. Pero based sa initial investigation, naay explosion nga nahitabo,” said Dultra, who added that the damage was pegged at P300,000.

Assistance

Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan, who immediately went to the area, said they are providing aid to the families of the victims from the City Social Welfare and Services Office.

Some netizens commenting on the Facebook Live of Mayor Chan said that the explosion was so loud that their houses were shaken like an earthquake.

“Grabe ka kusog ato ui naoyog amo balay,” a netizen said.

Some netizens said it felt like an airplane that exploded.

Meanwhile, based on initial information from PMAJ Vernido Villamor Jr, chief of the Firearms and Explosives Section of the Regional Civil Security Unit-7, Chito Berdin was reportedly a member of the Rambolet Pyro Corporation.

Villamor said that according to the president of the Corporation, they have warned Chito not to make firecrackers in their house because they have an approved area for such business. But Chito allegedly did not heed their advice and continued to make fireworks in his residence.

Viilamor said that they have issued a permit to the corporation but added that if the local government unit decides to cancel it, the permit issued by RCSU will become invalid.

“Ang local government pwede si Mayor ang mo pa-undang sa ilang permit. Gani sa among permit nga gipang hatag naa jud na siyay caption not valid without LGU permit so kung i-cancel sa LGU ang iyahang permit, dili na valid ang among permit nga gipanghatag," said Villamor. — (FREEMAN)