Injured in gas explosion in Malate climbs to 16

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 30) — The Bureau of Fire Protection- National Capital Region on Tuesday reported six more injured during the Malate fire blast, raising the total to 16.

The fire razed a commercial building along Fidel Reyes Street in Malate, Manila on Monday night.

According to the Malate District Police, the blast damaged a laundry shop, a restaurant, billiard hall and a student’s dormitory, which were all in the same building

The injured, aged 17 to 56 years old, include laundry personnel, customers of the restaurant and the billiard hall, dormitory boarders and a passerby.

They suffered burns and injuries from shattered glass panels.

Seven of them were brought to the Philippine General Hospital, another seven to the Adventist Medical Center and two to the Ospital ng Maynila.

The first-alarm fire broke out at 7:20 p.m. in the laundry shop inside the four-story building.

According to the initial report of the police, a gas leak caused the blast.

The blaze was placed under control at 7:29 p.m., and extinguished by 7:34 p.m.

Some 10 firetrucks responded to the incident.

Authorities are investigating the cost of damages.

This story will be updated.