Firemen soak seized firecrackers in water

CEBU, Philippines – The Bureau of Fire Protection in Naga City doused with water at least three sacks of fireworks they have confiscated within the vicinity of the old city public market last Christmas and New Year's eve.

The fireworks were seized from vendors selling outside the designated firecracker zone.

City fire marshal Virgilio Gilig said the firemen sprayed water to the assorted unexploded firecrackers at the City Hall grounds yesterday morning.

According to Gilig, the seized items were confiscated from vendors who illegally displayed their wares outside the designated firecracker area.

Among those who witnessed the disposal of the items on behalf of the city government was Minnie Abangan, head of Business Permit and Licensing Office.

Last December 17,  Mayor Valdemar Chiong issued an office order designating the baywalk area near the Office of the Senior Citizens' Affairs building as the exclusive firecracker selling zone in the city.

The mayor also directed the city PNP and BFP to strictly enforce Republic Act 7183 which regulates the sales, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

The firecrackers zone was part of the city's precautionary measures to prevent pyrotechnics-related injuries and the occurrence of fire during the holidays.