Blast rocks abandoned building in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - A cardboard box containing a mixture of gunpowder used in fireworks and firecrackers exploded in front of the abandoned Ever Gotesco building in Sampaloc, Manila Wednesday night, police said yesterday.

Authorities said the mixture was placed in a concrete plant box in front of the building. When the mixture exploded at around 9 p.m., the blast scattered debris along Loyola street.

No one was reported hurt by the explosion. Witnesses said several men were seen drinking in the area before the blast.