7 hurt in steel plant explosion
SAN SIMON - At least seven individuals were hurt after a steel plant located along Quezon Road here exploded late night on Saturday, January 11.
According to this town's chief of police Major Freddie Herry, the loud explosion heard around 10:00 p.m. came from SKK Steel Corporation, one of the oldest steel plants in this industrial town.
The said steel plant is a few meters away from a residential area and a Catholic school compound in Barangay Sta. Monica here, and to North Luzon Exp r essw ay.
The loud explosion was heard and felt not only in San Simon and surrounding municipalities, but as far as northern areas of the province such as Angeles City and Porac town as reported by netizens.
Herry said
the primary cause of the explosion is still yet to be determined by the Bureau of Fire Protection, but initial findings showed that the oxygen cylinder in the workplace of the establishment exploded.
The victims were immediately brought to Pampanga Premiere Medical Center for immediate medical attention but six of them identified as Cheng Chen Chung, a Taiwanese national, Daniel Bognadon, Glenn Gano, Russel Bondoc, and Angelito Espiritu were advised to go home after their medication, the chief of police said.
He furthered that victim Jerudio Mallo was transferred to Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital and is still confined there as of press time after sustaining second degree burns.
Herry said followup investigations will continuously be conducted to identify the primary cause of the incident, the extent of damage and the accountability of the steel plant management .
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO--Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda led a 50-vehicle convoy of medical teams, social workers, rescue and search personnel to help victims of the eruption of Taal Volcano.
Taal Volcano has been blasting into the air since Sunday afternoon, January 12, and has crippled parts of Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Metro Manila. Classes in all levels and work in government offices, except in frontline disaster response agencies, were suspended in affected areas Monday, Malacañang announced before dawn Monday.
Aside from the manpower, Pineda is also bringing equipment to help in the evacuation of residents affected by the eruptions of the Taal volcano.
The Pampanga provincial team is also bringing 8,500 food packs.
“We Kapampangans are paying back. Noon pong pumutok ang bulkang Pinatubo, marami po ang tumulong sa amin para iligtas kami at makabangon. Ito hong pagtulong ay pasasalamat namin,” Pineda said.