Water pump in Iloilo town spews flames

Instead of producing much-needed water during the dry months, a water pump “spewed flames," startling residents in a town in Iloilo province.

A report on Iloilo-based news site The News Today said the pump has triggered speculation among residents in Carvasana village in Calinog town.

“I will coordinate with the proper agency to look into the matter within this week (but) it could be a blessing. We could not be certain if the area is a source of gas, crude oil, or something. It could help us in our livelihood," town Mayor Alex Centena said.

Francisco Perez, the owner of the pump, said they discovered the oddity by accident Friday last week, when someone near it lighted a cigarette, causing the pump to spit flames.

On the other hand, local residents are wary of possible ill effects of the pump to their health.

They added the area was not a dumping ground for trash, ruling out the possibility of methane gas deposit underground.

The municipal government had distributed some 300 water pumps before the May 10 elections to mitigate the effect of the prolonged dry spell in Iloilo.

But only the one given to the Perez household spewed flames. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV

Source: GmaNews