Transformer blast leaves 4 girls hurt

Four girls were seriously injured after a transformer on an electric post exploded in Quiapo, Manila last Wednesday night.

Authorities identified the victims as Amina Guiama, 17, her cousin Benta Mano, 17, both students of Emilio Aguinaldo College; Ellen Salik, and their helper a certain Susi.

Guiama suffered burns in the body while Mano suffered burns in the left arm. Both were taken to Mary Child’s Hospital.

Barangay officials said Salik and Susi were taken to Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center for treatment of burns in the head and body.

Barangay kagawad Amir Cassan said the incident took place at around 9 p.m. Wednesday at the corner of Globo de Oro and Elizondo streets, Quiapo, Manila.

Zoren Guiama, 20, a cousin of the victims, told authorities that the victims were at the terrance of their apartment unit studying and reviewing for their exams when the transformer suddenly exploded.

The girls, who were renting a room of the four-story building, were hit by burning debris amd acid in different parts of the body.

Barangay councilmen responded to the accident scene and brought the victims to the hospital.

Cassan said his family would be shouldering the expenses for the hospitalization of Guiama and Mano, who are his nieces. However, he raised concern over the fate of the two others, Salik and Susi.

"Wala silang kamag-anak dito at wala kaming gaanong pera para matulungan sila. Sana tulungan sila ng kinauukulan," Cassan added.

According Cassan, Susi has just arrived in Manila because she was looking for a job in Saudi Arabia.