Chemical blast blamed on lightning damages 30 houses in Bulacan

A chemical explosion possibly triggered by a lightning strike damaged at least 30 houses and establishments in Marilao town in Bulacan province, a television report on Wednesday said.

No one was hurt in the incident, which also damaged a police station and a firemen’s post, according to Ivan Mayrina's report on GMA News' “24 Oras.”

The explosion occurred Tuesday midnight inside a chemical factory in Barangay Loma de Gato in Marilao town when a container of hydrogen peroxide, or more popularly known as agua oxinada, was hit by a lightning strike, the report said.

“Naka-usap po namin kanina [‘yung caretaker ng pabrika], sabi nila natamaan daw ng kidlat,” PO3 Ariel Gacutan said.

Residents living nearby, meanwhile, appealed to the factory's management to stop its operation.

“Dapat kung pwede, isara na. Kung ako ang masusunod… ang daming napinsala. Iintayin pa ba nating may mamatay?” Barangay Loma de Gato resident Julieta Abierta said in the report.

A large metal plate fell on Abierta’s house due to the explosion, damaging it, the report said.

The owner of the chemical factory has vowed to shoulder all the expenses in the repair of the damaged houses, the report added.  — Rouchelle Dinglasan/KBK, GMA News