CEBU CITY: Four persons died while several others were injured when a fire razed a firecracker factory in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City on Monday afternoon. Mayor Junard Chan confirmed the number of fatalities following the inspection and clearing operations. ‘I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of those who died in the fire incident,’ Chan said as he vowed to help the families of the victims. Those who died were Chito Berdin, owner of the firecracker factory, along with two of his factory workers and a child who were trapped when the fire hit the establishment. The flames spread quickly and destroyed several residential houses in the area due to the presence of black powder. Nagiel Bañacia, head of the Lapu-Lapu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said among those who sustained burns were children and elderly who were also trapped when the fire hit the main firecracker manufacturing area. He said the injured are now receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Arson
investigators are still assessing the extent of the damage caused by the blaze.
Source: Philippines News Agency