Explosion in front of a Masbate City commercial building kills 2, injures 2 — biogas suspected

Explosion in front of a Masbate City commercial building kills 2, injures 2 — biogas suspected

📌 At around 2:35 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, an explosion occurred in front of a commercial building in Masbate City, Masbate Province, Bicol Region, killing 2 people on the spot and injuring 2 others. Police believe pressurized biogas ruptured, but the cause has not been confirmed until forensic results come out.

■ What happened
· The explosion took place in front of the LCC (Liberty Commercial Center) Market and Department Store on Tara Street in Barangay Pating (Daily Tribune).
· Two people died at the scene, and the 2 injured were taken immediately to a nearby hospital. The victims' identities have not been reported.

■ Investigation / current status
· The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team inspected the scene with detection dogs but found no explosive components (Daily Tribune).
· According to the Inquirer, a Bicol police spokesperson said that preliminary findings, reached in consultation with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), point to a pressurized biogas explosion. The final confirmation will come from lab results of the soil and swab samples collected at the scene by the police forensic team.
· Police are questioning witnesses and securing CCTV footage from nearby shops, and have urged the public not to spread unverified information.

■ Notice for residents and travelers
· If you smell gas near markets or commercial buildings, leave the area immediately and notify the manager or the emergency hotline 911.
· Check speculation about the cause circulating on social media right after the incident against official announcements from the police and fire authorities.

■ Sources
Daily Tribune (11/14), Inquirer (11/14)

■ Photos
· 1. Police cordon in front of the Masbate commercial building with windows shattered by the explosion — Daily Tribune
· 2. Police forensic team examining the explosion site — Inquirer