Firecracker worker hurt in explosion

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines – A worker was seriously injured in a blast that ripped through a makeshift firecracker factory in Baliuag, Bulacan Wednesday afternoon, police said.

In a report here, Senior Superintendent Fernando Villanueva, Bulacan police director, said the victim, Rowel Velasco, 30, was packing “victory lights” when a spark ensued, blasting the nipa hut where the firecrackers were being made in Barangay Sto. Niño.

Velasco suffered several injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Villanueva said the owner of the firecracker factory, a certain Bonifacio Fermejo, had no license to manufacture firecrackers.

He said appropriate charges were being prepared against Fermejo.