The aftermath of the fire that struck a firecracker factory in Babag 2, Lapu-Lapu City./Paul Lauro
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Lapu-Lapu City has discovered safety standard violations in the manufacturing area of the firecracker factory in Purok Judas Belt, Barangay Babag 2, Lapu-Lapu City, which was engulfed in a blaze on Monday, December 11, 2023.
The BFP has established a task force to further investigate the incident. However, Senior Fire Officer (SFO) 1 Oiretuele Baguio, the fire investigator, has already stated that they have identified several lapses in terms of safety measures at the factory.
It was found that the firecracker storage is a makeshift structure, while the area where the chemicals were stored was constructed using lightweight materials.
“Dapat sir, sa amoang procedural manual sa BFP, kinahanglan gyud duna siyay at least four to six inches thick. Sementado gyud na siya sir,” Baguio said.
The task force will focus on various angles in their investigation, including the spontaneous reaction of chemicals used in creating the firecrackers, changes in the temperature of the chemical storage, the intense heat of the sun, and the manufacturing process of the firecrackers by the workers.
Meanwhile, another victim of the incident has succumbed, raising the number of casualties from four to five.
Renier Berdin, 7 years old, died after being brought to the hospital due to third-degree burns sustained during the incident.
Earlier, four individuals died in the fire incident: Chito Berdin, 58; Gwen Berdin-Lucero, 31; Arjay Escubia, 37; and Christian Monsanto, 30.
The remaining injured individuals were identified as Justin Llanas, 23; Maria Johanna Berdin, 37; Jade Rasonabe, 20; Julito Inoc, 23; and Joanna Berdin, 37.
Nagiel Bañacia, the head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), stated that the city is preparing for the burial and medical assistance for the fire victims.
They will also receive a monthly rental subsidy of P5,000 for three months from the city.
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