Man killed in store blast

Police and fire fighters respond to an explosion that killed a man on Lizares Street in Barangay 39, Bacolod City Friday. (Photo courtesy of Police Station 1)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A man was blown to pieces after a fire extinguisher allegedly exploded in a business establishment in Barangay 39 here yesterday.

Police identified the victim as Ricmar Rillo, 33, of Barangay Tangub here.

Police Major Ramel Sarona, head of Police Station 1, said that based on their initial investigation, the victim was inside a room when a loud blast was heard.

The victim died on the spot due to severe injuries, Sarona said, adding that Rillo was directly hit by the explosion.

Sarona said they have no idea yet what caused the explosion or how it happened.

But he said the victim was worked for a fire extinguisher vendor.

The explosion damaged the ceiling of the room, with no other injuries reported.

“We cannot yet tell if it was really an accident, as investigation is ongoing,” Sarona said.

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Rodel Legaspi, head of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod, said they are also investigating the incident.