Malabon closes warehouse over chlorine leak

MANILA, Philippines — The Malabon City government has ordered a warehouse to close temporarily following a chlorine leak that put left eight people hospitalized.

Mayor Jeannie Sandoval declared that Jovares Gas and Acetylene, where the chlorine leak came from, would be closed until residents of Kaingin street in Barangay Tinajeros no longer smell any chlorine.

The city government yesterday sent trucks of gravel to cover the area where the chlorine leaked in the warehouse.

She also visited the houses of the eight victims, including children and an elderly woman.

Addressing Sandoval, residents asked why the facility, which has been open for 34 years, was given a permit to operate in a residential area, according to earlier reports.

The city government would also study if it would allow the warehouse to renew its business permit.

The Bureau of Fire Protection has yet to find out what caused the chlorine to leak from the warehouse.