• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR. / THERESA MAE DULMAN
A fire broke out in a storage room at Purok Tuway, Barangay Canmoros, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental on Wednesday night, allegedly triggered by a sudden explosion of stored firecrackers.
Preliminary estimates by the firefighters put the total damage at around P300,000, affecting both products and infrastructure.
The blaze has left a 72-year-old businessman and resident of the area reeling after the unexplained explosion of firecrackers that were in his storage room.
According to the initial investigation, the firecrackers suddenly exploded, causing a fire that ravaged the storage room and surrounding areas. Firefighters were quick to respond, but the fire had already consumed the storage room.
The owner did not notice any signs of trouble before the fire broke out. The investigation into the cause of the explosion and subsequent fire is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the event.
Police are determining whether the businessman has all the documents for the legal operation of selling and manufacturing firecrackers.
BCPO WARNING
With the holiday season approaching, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director PCol. Joeresty Coronica, has issued a zero-tolerance policy against individuals and establishments selling illegal or imported firecrackers.
Coronica said that the BCPO will be strictly enforcing the ban on imported firecrackers, citing a commitment to supporting locally produced and legally compliant products.
He added that local manufacturers and sellers are now in the process of obtaining their permits from the city and the Philippine National Police Regional Civil Security Unit.
The city director said that once they receive reports, they will apply for a search warrant and conduct necessary operations.
The regulations concerning firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, as detailed in Republic Act 7183, are also being implemented.
“Imported firecrackers per se are illegal, we have no tolerance to that because we want to support our own legal local products,” Coronica said.
Colonel Antonio Benitez said that since Bacolod City is the distribution area of firecrackers, they encouraged sellers to sell only in designated areas.
Authorities are monitoring entry of firecrackers into the city using confidential intelligence methods.*
