Dalipe suspends permit of fireworks shop in Zamboanga City following explosion that killed 5
By Liza Jocson
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Mayor John Dalipe has suspended the business permit of Next Step Fireworks Shop on Monday, July 1, after a powerful blast ripped through its warehouse and killed five people here on Saturday, June 29.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/29/five-killed-21-injured-in-firecracker-warehouse-blast
Dalipe sent a letter to Next Step Fireworks Shoppe owner Joenathan Chua and informed him of his decision. Chua was among those injured and is still in the hospital recuperating.

FIREMEN conduct clearing operations following an explosion in a fireworks warehouse in Zamboanga City on June 29. (City Hall PIO)
The suspension will be in place pending the results of an investigation by the Bureau of Fire Protection on the incident.
In his letter, the mayor ordered the owner to cooperate with authorities in the ongoing investigation and assist the victims of the incident in addition to the city government assistance to them.
The BFP reported P62.5 million in damages from the explosion.
District Fire Marshall Fire Senior Supt. Christopher Morales, however, said this only represents the initial report by his office.
The warehouse and a house were totally destroyed while 15 buildings sustained damages.
Personnel from the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative, BFP, PNP-Explosives Ordnance Division, Task Force Zamboanga, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Engineer’s Office, Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources, and the Tetuan Barangay Council conduct clearing operations at the blast site.
Zamboanga City Police Office officer-in-charge Police Col. Kimberly Molitas said the number of injured increased to 35 from the initial 21.
The victims left the hospital a day after the blast, except for the warehouse owner.
The fatalities were identified as Rolly Limen, 38; his partner Mirriam Gregorio, 37; and son Arden Limen, 3; and two female workers, Erikka Corot, 18, and Junelyn Ramos, 19.