Two more firecracker and pyrotechnics factories blew up at about 1 p.m. yesterday in Brgy. Tagda, Hinigaran, causing damage estimated at P180,000 but no one was reported injured, the police said.

Chief Inspector Rosauro Francisco, Hinigaran police chief, said the fire started at the factory of Conrado Juguan and quickly spread to the adjacent one of Pablo Enrile. This led to the explosion of pyrotechnics and firecrackers being manufactured.

The incident took place more than a month after a pyrotechnics factory also burned and exploded in Brgy. 1 poblacion, also in Hinigaran, killing Morito Manong, and causing injuries to Rosauro Pelagio.

Francisco said the fire was triggered by a spark from potassium chlorate, a chemical used in the manufacture of pyrotechnics and firecrackers, and this triggered the fire.

The fire was contained after 30 minutes by residents through the bayanihan system, and by responding firefighters of the Hinigaran Bureau of Fire and Protection.

Francisco said Juguan and Enrile are among the licensed manufacturers of pyrotechnics and firecrackers in Hinigaran, pyrotechnics capital of Negros Occidental.*GPB

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