"We were all confused because almost everybody was panicking," said worker Jun Panalo. (Photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images)
May 13, 2015
At least 65 people have been reported missing or dead after a fire consumed a rubber slipper factory in a suburb of the Philippine capital of Manila on Wednesday.
Rex Gatchalian, mayor of the suburb of Valenzuela where the disaster took place, reportedly said that it took fire fighters four hours to quell the blaze and bodies were found inside the building.
According to the mayor's account, the explosion occurred when welding sparks near the factory entrance caused an explosion of the chemicals used in the manufacturing process.
When workers fled to the second floor in an effort to escape, they were reportedly trapped. "By the time they realized that they could pass through the main door, the flames were already engulfing the front area," said the mayor, according to the Associated Press.
Jun Panalo, a worker who reportedly leaped from the second floor, toldReuters, "We were all confused because almost everybody was panicking. I jumped out, and then someone followed me. I jumped through the fire. My hair was burned."
Between 200 and 300 people worked at the factory, said owner Veato Ang.
It was not immediately clear whether fire escapes or protections were in place.
An Unconstitutional Rampage
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Sarah Lazare
Sarah Lazare was a staff writer for Common Dreams from 2013-2016. She is currently web editor and reporter for In These Times.
At least 65 people have been reported missing or dead after a fire consumed a rubber slipper factory in a suburb of the Philippine capital of Manila on Wednesday.
Rex Gatchalian, mayor of the suburb of Valenzuela where the disaster took place, reportedly said that it took fire fighters four hours to quell the blaze and bodies were found inside the building.
According to the mayor's account, the explosion occurred when welding sparks near the factory entrance caused an explosion of the chemicals used in the manufacturing process.
When workers fled to the second floor in an effort to escape, they were reportedly trapped. "By the time they realized that they could pass through the main door, the flames were already engulfing the front area," said the mayor, according to the Associated Press.
Jun Panalo, a worker who reportedly leaped from the second floor, toldReuters, "We were all confused because almost everybody was panicking. I jumped out, and then someone followed me. I jumped through the fire. My hair was burned."
Between 200 and 300 people worked at the factory, said owner Veato Ang.
It was not immediately clear whether fire escapes or protections were in place.
Sarah Lazare
Sarah Lazare was a staff writer for Common Dreams from 2013-2016. She is currently web editor and reporter for In These Times.
At least 65 people have been reported missing or dead after a fire consumed a rubber slipper factory in a suburb of the Philippine capital of Manila on Wednesday.
Rex Gatchalian, mayor of the suburb of Valenzuela where the disaster took place, reportedly said that it took fire fighters four hours to quell the blaze and bodies were found inside the building.
According to the mayor's account, the explosion occurred when welding sparks near the factory entrance caused an explosion of the chemicals used in the manufacturing process.
When workers fled to the second floor in an effort to escape, they were reportedly trapped. "By the time they realized that they could pass through the main door, the flames were already engulfing the front area," said the mayor, according to the Associated Press.
Jun Panalo, a worker who reportedly leaped from the second floor, toldReuters, "We were all confused because almost everybody was panicking. I jumped out, and then someone followed me. I jumped through the fire. My hair was burned."
Between 200 and 300 people worked at the factory, said owner Veato Ang.
It was not immediately clear whether fire escapes or protections were in place.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.