Blast in chemical firm damages 30 houses

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines  â€“ At least 30 houses, along with a police detachment and a fire station, were damaged in an explosion at a chemical factory in Marilao, Bulacan early Wednesday morning. No one was reported injured.

The provincial fire marshal yesterday started a thorough investigation into the blast at WT Treat Chemical Corp. even as the Marilao fire station earlier said there was no need for a probe as the explosion was caused by lightning.

Senior Superintendent Joel Ordona, Bulacan police director, said the factory owner was coordinating with probers in assessing the blast damage.

Bureau of Fire Protection records show the tank affected by the blast contained hydrogen peroxide, but journalists who saw it said it was reportedly marked “sulfuric acid.”