15-year-old loses 4 fingers to Super Lolo

MANILA, Philippines - A 15-year-old boy will start the New Year with four fingers less after a "Super Lolo" he lighted exploded in his hand Thursday night. Radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen reported early Friday that the boy had insisted on lighting the "Super Lolo" to welcome 2009 at Cupang village in Antipolo City. The boy was still clutching his right hand when he was brought to the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center for treatment, the report said. Doctors had to amputate four of the boy’s right-hand fingers, leaving only a finger and part of his palm. Earlier, the health department said it is extending its Code White alert in hospitals in anticipation of post-New Year firecracker injuries. Health secretary Francisco Duque III ordered the extension after raising the possibility that revelers who failed to light fireworks due to the rains will do so during this weekend. - GMANews.TV