4 hurt in Malabon firecracker blast

Four persons were hurt as a blast, believed caused by stored firecrackers, ripped through the stock room of a bakery late Friday afternoon in Malabon City.

The Gonza’s Bakery owned by Luis Gonzales, at Block 12, Lot 48, Hasa-hasa street, Barangay Longos, Malabon City was destroyed in the explosion.

Injured were Christopher Son, 20, single, a native of Antique; Dennis Labigan, 27, married, of Cebu City; and Julius del Rosario, 25, married, of Ilocos Norte, all stay-in workers at the bakehouse.

Also hurt by flying debris was Kim Celsior, 15 , who was just passing by the bakeshop when the explosion occurred.

The victims were taken to the Tondo General Hospital for treatment.

PO3 Benedicto Zafra, officer-on-case, said the three bakers were making bread when the blast rocked the bakery at around 4:45 p.m. last Friday.

It was not clear who owned the firecrackers. From the physical damage on the establishment, police estimated the amount of powder that ignited at about two kilos.

The Malabon Volunteer Fire Brigade also responded to the scene to prevent fire from breaking out. – With Pete Laude