BFP-6 wraps up probe on PB 102 explosion

 

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Bureau of Fire Protection -6 (BFP) is now finalizing its investigation on the explosion of Power Barge 102 on July 3.

Fire Senior Superintendent Jerry Candido, BFP-6 regional director, said they are just waiting for scientific evidences.

“We need these scientific evidences that would correlate the explosion to the things we gathered on site,” he said.

In the meantime, Candido deferred to reveal the outcome of their investigation, especially the persons to be held responsible for the explosion that led to the oil spill.

But he said they might finish the probe by next week.

The Philippine Coast Guard-Iloilo Station estimated that around 251,000 liters of bunker fuel may have leaked from the power barge owned by the Ayala-led AC Energy Philippines.

The power barge can be loaded with 268,000 liters of fuel.

During the investigation, fire probers saw the presence of flammable materials such as acetylene tank, hose, and torch, although it remains inconclusive if these caused the blast.

BFP – Iloilo City said it sought the help of technical experts such as chemists and engineers to help determine what triggered the explosion.

The BFP had earlier confirmed earlier reports that the fire originated from the air vent near the barge’s hull.