Illegal fireworks spark fatal store blaze

A fire blamed on illegally sold firecrackers swept through a department store in the central Philippines on Christmas Day, killing 24 people who tried to escape in a restroom, police said today.

The blaze spread quickly from firecrackers and pyrotechnics which ignited near the entrance to the one-storey building in Ormoc city, 550 kilometres (340 miles) south east of Manila, leaving many vendors and customers trapped inside, said Chief Superintendent Eliseo dela Paz.

He said people near the entrance managed to escape but others were forced to go deeper in the store into a restroom, where 23 charred remains were found. Another person died of injuries overnight.

Fifteen people were treated in two Ormoc hospitals. Two were in a critical condition, acting provincial police director Senior Superintendent Manuel Cobillo said.

The victims included customers, vendors and store employees.

Mr Dela Paz said the exit door in the back of the store was padlocked, blocking the escape route.

He said the store did not have a permit to sell firecrackers and that police had cracked down on dealers selling fireworks inside malls and stores in order to prevent accidents.

“But they put up some displays in the afternoon,” he told The Associated Press by telephone. “Apparently that’s where the fire started.”

He said police were looking for the owner but could not locate him.

Many stores and malls throughout the predominantly Christian Philippines were open on Christmas Day, a public holiday, giving families a chance for last-minute shopping as well as recreation.

Firecrackers and other pyrotechnics are extremely popular during the holidays, and accidents are common despite efforts to minimise reckless celebrations.