Chemicals explode near Bulacan town cracker factory

A powerful explosion caused by chemicals used to make firecrackers startled many residents and shattered windows of nearby houses late Thursday afternoon in Bocaue, Bulacan. The explosion, which created a deep crater at “ground zero," took place near the firecracker factory of Eduardo Losanta, who blamed the sudden rains Wednesday for the explosion. “Meron kaming timplada na di dapat mabasa. E biglang bagsak ang ulan ... First time nangyari ito (We had some chemicals that may explode when wet. The rains suddenly came Wednesday. This is the first time it happened)," Losanta told DZBB radio. He assured his neighbors he will pay them for damages to property, but asked for time as he will need to raise the needed funds. The incident happened in the middle of a field in Duhat village in Bocaue town. Rains caused by cloud-seeding had been taking place every afternoon since last weekend. “Di rin namin kasalanan, hingi namin paunawa sa tao. Hayaan ninyong maka-recover muna ako tapos babayaran (It’s not my workers’ fault either, so all I ask is understanding. Just wait for me to recover financially, then I’ll pay them for their damages)," Losanta said. The DZBB report cited testimonies by residents who described the explosion to “a mortar exploding three to four times." - GMANews.TV