By Robert Maico
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Aug. 3 (PNA) — Seven persons were hurt after a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tank exploded at 12:51 p.m. Monday in Barangay 2 here.
Fire Supt. Geranndie Agonos, City Fire Marshall, said the explosion occurred at F-Gaz store located in a house owned by spouses Jaime and Helen Ferrer of Barangay 2 this city.
Agonos identified the injured as spouses Jaime and Helen Ferrer; store workers Mark Lawrence Aquino, Maricris Igot and certain Suan; store customer Aurea Doria and an eight-year old child of still unidentified store employee.
Initial investigation showed that Aurea Doria, 45 years old, had her ‘gazolito’ (mini gas burner) tank replaced at the store by Aquino.
Agonos said that the nozzle of the replacement gas tank was not fixed properly, causing the gas to leak and spread in nearby areas of the house.
He said a lighted stove in the house caused the accumulated gas to burst, destroying the roof and the accordion door of the store and injuring seven individuals.
The victims were taken to Calamba Medical Center for treatment of first degree burns.
Agonos said that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is still investigating on the explosion and find out if laws had been violated since LPG is considered “high-hazard” commodity.
“We are still finding out if the store has applied for Storage Permit and had complied with the standards set by the BFP,” Agonos said. (PNA)