Roxas: Gas leak in Serendra explosion caused by negligence

(Updated 9:27 p.m.) The condo unit owner and the building's developer may be liable for negligence that resulted in a gas leak that led to the May 31 deadly explosion at Two Serendra condominium in Taguig City, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said Thursday.

Citing the findings of the inter-agency task force and foreign experts that looked into the incident, Roxas said the leak in Unit 501-B was caused by the "unauthorized movement of the gas range (which) caused a detachment of the gas supply hose."

The explosion occurred when the leak was ignited by a light switch, he said. The tenant, one of four people who died as a result of the blast, was not alerted of the leakage because the "vaporized" LPG used in Serendra's pipeline system was odorless, Roxas added.

"Medyo pabaya ang mga nanunungkulan sa mga bagay na ito," he told a press briefing where the results of the investigation were announced.

The three other victims died on the spot when a concrete slab from the shattered condo unit fell on their vehicle following the explosion. The tenant, who was occupying the unit where the blast occurred, perished in a hospital weeks later.

DILG report on Two Serendra blast

Liable

Roxas said the owner of Two Serendra may be held liable for allowing unauthorized access to the gas valve, and allowing the occupancy of the condo unit right after the renovation even without inspection.

He also questioned the inadequate safety devices of the condominium provided by the Makati Development Corporation. "Only one gas leak detector for the whole building," he noted.

The Bonifacio Gas Corporation may also be liable for lack of "technical competence in handling odorant," Roxas said.

The findings will be submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which will decide if a case will be filed against the management of Two Serendra, he added. 

Serendra: We followed govt regulations

For their part, Dindo Fernando, spokesperson for Serendra Inc., said in a statement that the management is confident that it has followed government regulations.

"While we note the findings in the report relative to the leak detection devices and the unauthorized access to the shut off valve, we are confident that government regulations and standards have been complied with in the design and operation of Serendra," he said.

"Regarding the proposed improvements in these standards, we will work with the government and adhere to any change in regulations," Fernando said.
 
"Once again, we wish to express our regret over the incident. The conclusion of the IATF investigation will allow us to expedite the conduct of repairs and restoration of the damaged building so that the affected residents can return to their units at the soonest possible time," he added. — with Marc Jayson Cayabyab/KBK/RSJ, GMA News