Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — A woman and an elderly man were killed in a fireworks store explosion in Bocaue, Bulacan on Wednesday.
The man was identified by his relatives as 65-year-old Manuel Ayala, a softdrink seller. The woman, who was charred beyond recognition, remains unknown.
Twenty-four people were injured, said Bocaue Police Chief Charlie Cabradilla.
The fire started at the Gonzales Fireckracker store in Barangay Biñan-1st at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday. The fire spread to nine other establishments on both sides of the street.
“May kalakihan (ang sunog) kaya hanggang ngayon hindi agad malapitan ng Bureau of Fire Protection. Meron pa ding maliliit na paputok na sumasabog,” Mayor Joni Villanueva said.
[Translation: The fire is big, which is why the Bureau of Fire Protection is having a hard time going near it. As of this time, small fireworks are still exploding.]
Bystanders were among those injured. The force of the blast overturned and wrecked vehicles parked along the road.
The fire reached fourth-alarm, and was placed under control at 1:05 p.m., said the Bulacan Provincial Bureau of Fire Protection. A fourth alarm fire level is one of the categoriesof a blaze that requires a particular level of response from authorities. A higher number indicates a more severe fire.
Four ambulances and 20 fire trucks were deployed, the Bocaue Mayor said.
Although there is no clear answer yet as to what caused the fire, authorities suspect the recent rains may have something to do with it.
“Kapag ang pulbura, nabasa po, kahit in a little amount of liquid, water, eh talagang magke-create ng init yan. Then uusok. Dun nagkakaroon ng pagsabog,” said Bureau of Fire Protection Sr. Insp. Renan Batchine.
[Translation: When firecracker powder gets wet, even a small amount of liquid, water, it will really create heat. Then it will create smoke. That will lead to an explosion.]
Store owner Gina Gonzales’ whereabouts wasn’t immediately known, but witnesses said they saw her walk out of the store.
Bulacan is known for its firecrackers and fireworks, and production is ramping up ahead of the holiday season, especially when these pyrotechnics are set off for New Year’s Eve revelries.
President Rodrigo Duterte has said he would ban firecrackers throughout the country to keep Filipinos safe.
CNN Philippines correspondent JC Gotinga contributed to this report.
