AT least 16 individuals, including students, were injured following an explosion in a laundry shop in Malate, Manila near De La Salle University (DLSU) campus Monday evening, January 30, 2023.

Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said the explosion occurred at around 7 p.m. Monday in a laundry shop along Fidel Reyes Street.

It said the explosion resulted in a fire which was immediately put out by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) at around 7:34 p.m.

Among the victims were students in a billiard hall located above the laundry shop.

The BFP said initial investigation showed the explosion was caused by a leak from an LPG tank which is being used by the laundry shop for their dryers.

The owner of the laundry shop vowed to shoulder all the hospital expenses of the victims.

Meanwhile, the DLSU, in a statement on Monday, said that some students in the vicinity received minor injuries.

"At around 7:10 p.m., a gas leak that resulted in a fire occured at a laundry shop along Fidel Reyes Street. While the incident did not reach campus, premises, some students in the vicinity received minor injuries. They were immediately given first aid and medical attention. The DLSU administration is monitoring the situation and will release updates on the matter."

Investigation is still ongoing. (SunStar Philippines)