SAN SIMON -- At least seven people were hurt after a steel plant located along Quezon Road here exploded late Saturday night, January 11, 2020.

According to the town’s chief of police Major Freddie Herry, the loud explosion heard around 10:00 p.m. came from SKK Steel Corporation, one of the oldest steel plants in the town.

The said steel plant is a few meters away from a residential area and a Catholic school compound in Barangay Sta. Monica here, and to North Luzon Expressway.

The loud explosion was heard and felt not only in San Simon and surrounding municipalities, but also as far as the northern areas of the province such as Angeles City and Porac town as reported by netizens.

Herry said the primary cause of the explosion is still yet to be determined by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), but initial findings showed that the oxygen cylinder in the workplace of the establishment exploded.

The victims were immediately brought to the Pampanga Premiere Medical Center for immediate medical attention, but six of them were advised to go home after their medication, the chief of police said.

The six were identified as Cheng Chen Chung, a Taiwanese national; Daniel Bognadon; Glenn Gano; Russel Bondoc; and Angelito Espiritu.

Herry furthered that a victim, Jerudio Mallo, was transferred to Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital and is still confined there as of press time after sustaining second degree burns.

He said follow-up investigations will still be conducted to identify the primary cause of the incident, the extent of damage and the accountability of the steel plant management.