LAGUNA, Philippines – Twelve persons, including six children, were injured when a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank exploded at their home in Kalayaan town in this province Wednesday night.
The victims – Ester, 75; Roderick, 39; Richard Sr., 36; Richard Jr.; Jeng, 16; Genalyn May, 13; John Efren, 7, Princess Chloe, all surnamed Belgica; Daisy Liquigan, 24, Bernadette Berin, 6, Aira Thea Indente, 7, and Geraldine Villanueva, 5 – were rushed to a hospital in nearby Pakil town for treatment of burns.
Two of the victims were listed in critical condition, according to Inspector Roselle Orate, spokesperson for the Laguna police.
Orate said the explosion, which occurred at past 6 p.m. in Barangay Longos, caused a fire that destroyed the house of the Belgica family.
Fire Officer 3 Teodoro Adao said prior to the explosion, there was power outage in the area, prompting the family to light a candle.
Richard Sr. was reportedly checking their LPG tank when it exploded.