Errant cig could have caused deadly blaze in firecracker market

A lit cigarette butt thrown recklessly into a firecracker market could have started an accidental fireworks display that killed at least two people in Muñoz in Nueva Ecija on New Year’s Eve, killing at least two people and injuring more than a hundred others. A report on GMA News’ 24 Oras said that the fire incident started while police officials were inspecting a row of firecracker stalls in front of the Muñoz City Hall at about 5 p.m. Thursday. Killed during the fire was Diosdado Santos Jr., 52, who failed to flee the area when the fire broke because of his disability. Another man, Angelito Nuque, died in a local hospital due to severe burns he obtained during the fire, the report said.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Police investigators said the incident, which razed about P450,000 worth of firecrackers, may have been caused by a lighted cigarette butt thrown near a stall or by customers testing firecrackers near the area. – Andreo C. Calonzo/JV, GMANews.TV