Dagupan City 'cracker factory blows up, kills 1, injures 4

A clandestine firecracker factory in Bacayao Norte village in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, blew up early Saturday afternoon, killing a man and injuring four people, radio DZBB reported. The report said the fatality, Melanio Orit, 49, was owner of the factory that was allegedly manufacturing illegal pyrotechnic products. The radio station’s reporter quoted Fire Marshal Chief Inspector Amando Fernandez as saying that two houses were burned as a result of the explosion that occurred past noon. It was not known what caused the blast. The residents of one of the houses were injured. They were identified as Marivic Ricalde, 41, her children Joshua and Jasmine. The fourth victim was not identified. The report said the firecracker explosion was the second incident in Dagupan City. On December 24, three children were injured when firecrackers exploded at the city’s plaza. -GMANews.TV