Two dead, five injured in Bulacan fireworks factory explosion

Two unidentified men died in an explosion at an unlicensed fireworks factory in Barangay Partida, Norzagaray, Bulacan on Wednesday morning, which also injured five others.

The blast occurred around 11:15 a.m., causing significant damage to 14 houses and completely destroying a 500-square-meter residential shanty.

The Bureau of Fire Protection brought the fire under control within minutes and fully extinguished it shortly after, with the victims' remains found at the scene.

Authorities suspect that firecracker powder, combined with the day's extreme heat, may have caused the explosion, as no electrical malfunctions were found.

The factory was operating illegally without permits, and the PNP and BFP are jointly investigating the exact cause.

The owner of the property where the factory was located is among the confirmed dead, and the police are working to identify the financier or operator.