3 hurt in Zambo City warehouse blast

(Updated 11:12 p.m.) At least three people were reported hurt after an explosion of a yet unknown cause occurred at a warehouse of a firecracker supplier in Zamboanga City at about 3:30 p.m. Friday, according to a military spokesman. A report on GMA News' "Saksi" identified the casualties as three-year-old Jason Tubola, Sonia Jacinto, and Fire Officer 1 Raymond Gutierrez.
In a text message, Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang said the warehouse was located on Nuñez Extension St. near Ciudad Medical Hospital. In a separate report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the fire started at 3:30 p.m. on Veterans Avenue Interior, behind Ciudad Medical. "There are no reports of evacuation but it has been reported that three have been wounded from the incident," the NDRRMC said in an initial bulletin. The warehouse of Pacific Trading, which reportedly stored fireworks, is owned by a certain Benjie Chiong, Cabangbang said. Preliminary investigation showed a container van containing firecrackers, which were left unsold during the recent holiday season, suddenly exploded, according to the "Saksi" newscast. The report added at least 25 houses located inside the same compound were razed by the fire, which reached general alarm. - JV/JMA, GMANews.TV