(Photo courtesy of PNA)
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – Five people, including a child, were killed following a powerful explosion at a suspected illegal firecracker manufacturing facility in Malasiqui, Pangasinan, on Wednesday night.
Malasiqui Vice Mayor Daria Dolores Mamaril said the explosion occurred at around 7:30 p.m. near the boundary of Barangays Tabo-Sili and Calbueg.
The blast was reportedly heard across the municipality and in neighboring towns, prompting an immediate response from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), local police and emergency personnel.
Authorities said two children were rushed to a hospital following the explosion. One sustained minor injuries, while the other was declared dead on arrival.
Corporal Raian Buslon of the Malasiqui Police Station confirmed that investigators recovered four burned bodies from the blast site, bringing the death toll to five.
Mamaril said the municipal government had not issued any permit authorizing the operation of a firecracker manufacturing facility in the area.
Meanwhile, Tabo-Sili Barangay Captain Benjie De Vera said barangay officials were unaware of any alleged firecracker production activities at the location.
According to De Vera, the property previously operated as a piggery before its owner shut down the business and rented the premises to a family.
The circumstances surrounding the explosion and the suspected firecracker manufacturing operation remain subject to investigation.
Authorities have yet to establish the exact cause of the blast and determine whether any individuals may be held accountable for the alleged unauthorized operation.
