Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 20) — A minor died while 23 people were rushed to hospitals Tuesday morning after an ammonia leak and fire in a cold storage facility in Navotas City.
Speaking to CNN Philippines, Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) head Vonne Villanueva said the casualty, who had a pre-existing condition, was rushed to MCU Hospital in Caloocan due to difficulty in breathing.
He also said the DRRMO will ask local health officials to investigate if the death is directly related to the ammonia leak.
Twelve people were rushed to Navotas Hospital and 11 others were brought to the Tondo General Hospital. They also complained about difficulty in breathing, but most of them have returned to their residences after being observed in the medical facilities, Villanueva added.
The DRRMO said an ammonia leak in the mechanical room of the cold storage facility was reported at 11 p.m. on Monday. The Bureau of Fire Protection responded to control the ammonia leak, but the facility caught fire. It reached third alarm and was declared out at 1:57 a.m. on Tuesday.
According to Villanueva, around 100 families had to be evacuated, and they returned to their homes after authorities assured them of their safety.
Villanueva also said authorities are investigating the incident to determine the cause of the ammonia leak and fire.
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco told CNN Philippines that the facility will be closed until it is deemed safe.
