2 dead, 2 hurt in fireworks factory blast

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Two teenagers died while two others were injured after an explosion ripped through a fireworks factory in Bocaue, Bulacan on Thursday afternoon, causing a fire that lasted for one hour, police said.

The fatalities were identified as Larry Alcano, 18, and Adrian Paul Gray, 15. Those injured were Cerelo Fernandez and Ramilito Luagas.

Fire Chief Inspector Carlos Estipular, fire marshal of Bocaue town, said all four victims worked in the factory of Olly’s Fireworks Manufacturing in Barangay Duhat, Bocaue town.

Estipular said the victims were working on the fuse of a skyrocket or kwitis when it sparked, and a blast subsequently occurred.

Other factory workers said the explosion was just an accident. 

But the police are also looking into labor violations since one of the fatalities is a minor.

The explosion is the first to hit a fireworks factory in Bulacan this year. Authorities are looking if the hot weather has an impact on fireworks being made in the province. – With Ric Sapnu