(CNN Philippines) — The Kentex Manufacturing Corp. welder, who did the welding repairs of the footwear factory’s roll-up gate has turned himself under police custody.
Valenzuela City Police, however, refused to divulge his name for the welder’s security.
Police said the welder feared for his life and opted to present his affidavit to authorities.
The welder admitted that he was repairing the factory’s roll-up metal gate, which was near the place where highly combustible chemicals were stored.
He said that a certain Josie Tee, a secretary at the factory, assured him it would be safe to do welding repairs in the area since the chemicals were already covered with canvas.
But the first spark, he explained, immediately ignited the chemicals, causing a small fire.
According to Senior Supt. Rhoderick Armamento, chief of the Valenzuela City Police Station, there was some negligence on the part of the welder.
“We are looking at reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries and damage to properties,” Armamento said in Filipino.
The secretary allegedly tried to douse the small fire by pouring water on it, but she didn’t stop the welder from doing his work.
The fire just went out of control until it consumed the entire factory and dozens of lives into ash.
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Kentex factory owner, Ong King Guan, could also be held accountable after allegations that the factory did not secure a hot works permit and a fire safety inspection certificate.
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Police are also looking at negligence on the part of Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian for granting a business permit to Kentex without checking those documents.
“According to the Fire Code, if an establishment is going to conduct hot works, it needs to apply for a fire safety clearance at the Bureau of Fire Protection,” Supt. Renato Marcial, spokesperson of the interagency task force formed to investigate the Kentex fire, said in Filipino.
“Definitely, there is a condition stating that [hot works] should be done in a safe area. If there are flammable materials, it should be removed or covered with a fire retardant,” he added.
Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II gave the interagency two weeks to finish the investigation, but Marcial said it could take as long as a month.
The inter-agency task force is currently in the process of gathering pieces of evidence, such as chemical samples and affidavits from witnesses.
