12 hurt in LPG tank explosion

MANILA, Philippines -  A total of 12 persons were injured when a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank exploded in a three-story house in Sta. Mesa, Manila Wednesday night.

Inspector Arnold Santos, who heads the Manila Police District’s explosive and ordnance disposal section, reported that eight of the victims were brought to the Sta. Ana Hospital, where they were treated by Dr. Bacon Santos.

He identified them as Gerald Baguio, 33, who suffered second-degree burns on his face, hands and legs; Federico Labbao, 32, second-degree burns on his left side; Francis Esporma, 32, a bruise on his left elbow;  Rosemarie Nieto, nine, first-degree burns on both legs; Juna Canada, 40, second-degree burns on arms and hands; Nilo Canada, 40, minor bruises; Ferdinand Juntado, 44, minor bruises; and Michael Jara, 33, minor bruises.

Four other victims were brought to the Unciano Medical Center, where Dr. Jean Rizon attended to them. Santos identified them as John Arvic Ednila, one, who suffered a forehead injury; Colin Cabalatungan, 36, second-degree burns on the body; Cedrik Cabalatungan, two, minor burns; and Uldarico Cabalatungan III, 28, minor burns.

Santos said he and a team responded to an explosion that occurred in factory worker Allan Cimatu’s house on Manga street in Old Sta. Mesa at past 8 p.m. They were met by Barangay 600 Zone 59 chairman Rocky Perilla, he added.

Cimatu told investigators they just had dinner when the explosion occurred as he went to pick up his daughter, who was playing outside the house.

Gas leak

Santos said the results of a post-blast investigation showed that there was a gas leak unnoticed for some time.

He said Baguio wanted to boil some water when he turned on the gas stove in the kitchen. Baguio told investigators he heard a hissing sound, followed by an explosion. He said flames engulfed his whole body and he ran outside to get help.

The fire was immediately contained by the barangay firefighters, Santos said. Much of the force of the blast was upward, he added.

The explosion was so strong that people occupying the second and third floors were injured, according to Santos. A portion of the third floor collapsed, sending those occupying it falling to the lower floors.

No bomb

Police investigators are also discounting the theory that an improvised explosive was behind the explosion. Bomb experts also rushed to the area Wednesday night to look for forensic evidence to determine what happened.

Santos said the explosion tore the ceiling of the first floor up to the third floor of the house.

He said an explosion may occur when a flammable gas or vapor is allowed to build up and is then ignited, releasing a high-energy shock wave.

“Three elements are needed for an explosion to occur – a flammable gas (LPG), air (oxygen), and the source  of ignition (open fire in the gas stove when ignited),” Santos said.