Police and fire authorities are searching for two men believed to be responsible for a fire that gutted a firecracker selling area in Barangay Minolos, Barili town, late Sunday night, December 28.
The fire broke out at around 9:30 p.m. in a designated firecracker zone, sending flames racing through rows of makeshift stalls and causing panic among vendors and nearby residents.
At least nine stalls selling pyrotechnics were razed as the fire rapidly spread, fueled by highly combustible materials, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Barili.
Fire Senior Inspector Anadith Trasporte, Barili fire marshal, said initial investigation showed that two male customers had just purchased a triangular firecracker, locally known as a “triangle,” moments before the fire started.
Investigators believe the firecracker landed on around 1,000 rounds of Judas Belt, triggering an explosion that caused the fire to engulf adjacent stalls within seconds.
Trasporte said authorities have yet to determine whether the two men were intoxicated at the time. The suspects fled immediately after the firecracker ignited.
Residents initially managed to restrain the suspected buyers, but they were later released as people scrambled to move vehicles and help contain the chaos at the scene.
In their rush to escape, the suspects reportedly left behind their motorcycle, which was also burned in the fire. The plate number became unidentifiable, complicating efforts to trace their identities.
The Barili BFP received the fire alarm at 9:33 p.m. and responded within five minutes with three fire trucks. Firefighters placed the blaze under control by 9:48 p.m., and it was declared out at around 9:59 p.m., preventing further damage to nearby areas.
Damage to the temporary stalls was estimated at around P27,000.
Trasporte said all vendors had secured the required permits from the Philippine National Police and the BFP and had complied with safety requirements, including “No Smoking” and “No Testing” signages, water supply, and fire extinguishers.
Despite these precautions, vendors lamented losing firecracker stocks purchased through loans ranging from P100,000 to P300,000.
Trasporte urged the public to exercise caution as New Year celebrations approach, stressing that reckless actions can still spark disasters even in regulated zones.
“Akong pahimangno sa publiko, sa umaabot nga bag-ong tuig, siguradohon nato ang atong safety ug dili ta magpasagad,” she said. (SBA)
Photo by Seth Nuñez
