A ROW of firecracker stalls in Antipolo City was consumed by flames during the peak of the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The incident, which occurred as residents welcomed the arrival of the new year, sent plumes of smoke billowing into the sky and triggered widespread panic in the surrounding area.
According to witnesses, the tragedy unfolded after a stray firecracker veered off course and landed among the tightly packed stalls. The close proximity of the firecrackers and the highly flammable materials used in their construction quickly fueled the blaze, causing it to spread rapidly from one stall to another.
Firefighters rushed to the scene to combat the inferno, battling the intense heat and the constant explosions of remaining firecrackers.
While the fire was eventually brought under control, the incident resulted in significant damage to the stalls and surrounding properties. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and to assess the extent of the damage.
