An ammonia leak was reported at the Big Blue cold storage facility located at F. Zuellig Avenue, Subangdaku in Mandaue City at 2 am Thursday.
The Mandaue City Public Information Office (PIO) said the Mandaue City Command Center received the alarm at past 2 am.
Bantay Mandaue said 15 personnel who were on night shift duty escaped the factory. One person was confirmed injured and rushed to Chong Hua Hospital in Mandaue. The victim later died. The fire was put out one hour later.
Ammonia, a substance used in cooling chambers, can irritate the eyes, mucosa, airways, lungs, and skin. High concentration of ammonia may also cause swelling of lungs and asphyxia.
Police said an overheated bulb exploded and caused the ammonia leak. The Mandaue City government issued a temporary closure order on the factory due to traces of ammonia.