QUEZON POWER PLANT BLAST KILLS WORKER, HURTS 9 OTHERS  

AN explosion inside a power plant on Friday left a worker dead and nine others severely wounded in Bgy. Ibabang Polo, Pagbilao, Quezon.

Police said the explosion occurred at the Tripper House and Coal Dust Collector Facility which is being run by Pagbilao Energy Corporation.

The fatality was identified as  Vincent Ayala, 43, a fire safety officer and a resident of Bgy. Tambak.

The nine others who were injured were rushed to a hospital in Lucena City for treatment.

Based on a report submitted by Pagbilao police chief Maj. Nemecio Calipjo to Quezon police director Col. Romulo Albacea one unit of the power plant exploded creating a fire around 9 p.m. Friday.

Personnel of the Emergency Response Team, the  Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) contained the blaze while  a rescue team from the local government unit provided on-site medical assistance and facilitated the transport of victims to nearby hospitals for further treatment.

Calipjo said there was no major damage to the main plant, adding that the two other generating units remain fully operational.

The affected unit has been recommended for a forced shutdown pending further inspection and safety evaluation. 

Authorities are investigating what caused the explosion.