Firecrackers start Philippines store fire, kill 23

Tuesday, December 26, 2006, 10:37 [IST]

MANILA, Dec 25 (Reuters) At least 23 people were killed in the Philippines today when firecrackers started a fire in a department store, police said.

The fire in Ormoc City on Leyte island in central Philippines started late in the afternoon on Christmas Day and lasted for nearly three hours, police inspector Reynaldo Gabon said.

Explosions could be heard coming from inside.

''The security guard told us stored firecrackers suddenly ignited, causing the fire,'' Gabon told Reuters by phone.

Rescuers recovered 23 charred bodies inside and at the door of the toilet of the department store. ''We don't know how many more shoppers are still missing,'' Gabon said.

Police were unable to say why the firecrackers caught fire.

Filipinos usually celebrate Christmas and New Year by exploding firecrackers, causing dozens of injuries, fires and deaths each year.

REUTERS SP HS2310

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