Butane Stove Explosion at Philippine Restaurant Injures 11 Students

A portable butane stove exploded at a samgyupsal restaurant in Barangay Karanglaan, Dagupan City, on the afternoon of March 12, injuring 11 students who had gathered after class to celebrate a classmate's birthday. Eight were admitted to the hospital; two of those sustained serious injuries and may require surgery.

The blast occurred around 2:00 p.m. while the group was singing "Happy Birthday." PCPT. Eric Dela Cruz, commander of Dagupan City Police Station 2, said the table-top gas burner failed at the worst possible moment. "While celebrating, kinakantahan na nila ng 'Happy Birthday' song 'yung kanilang classmate. Gas burner, nag-leak kaya nagkaroon ng explosion," Dela Cruz said. Police believe gas overpressure created a sudden fireball that hit those seated directly at the table, leaving all 11 with burn injuries. Three were discharged after initial treatment; the remaining eight stayed under medical care.

Of the eight admitted, Dela Cruz said two face the most serious outcomes. "Out of sa walo, 'yung dalawa hindi naman kritikal, serious injury. Due for operation sila," he said.

The explosion sent the restaurant into immediate chaos. Romel Tumbaga, a restaurant employee who was in the back when the stove blew, described coming out to find the dining area emptied in seconds. "Biglaan po kasi. Andun ako sa likod. Pagpunta ko dito, ayun nagtakbuhan na lahat ang tao kasi natakot na lahat," Tumbaga said. Staff and bystanders moved quickly to provide first aid before the injured students were taken to the nearest hospital.

Restaurant management maintained that equipment at the establishment is routinely checked and that nothing like this had happened before. "Palagi po namin 'yan chine-check po. Ino-off tapos nililinis po lagi namin," Tumbaga said.

The restaurant owner has since agreed to cover the hospital bills for all injured students. Dela Cruz confirmed the arrangement: "In coordination with the admin officer ng restaurant, nag-initial 'yung may-ari na iso-shoulder nila 'yung hospital expenses ng mga injured person."

Local police have opened an investigation into the exact cause, with investigators examining the butane stove and the surrounding area. The samgyupsal dining format, in which customers cook raw meat on table-top grills using portable gas burners, is a common setup across the Philippines, making the cause determination relevant well beyond this single restaurant. Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution with gas-powered equipment in dining establishments while the investigation continues.