A fire, caused by an overcharged electric transformer attached to an electric post, destroyed yesterday a plastic products factory, causing damage to property worth about P25 million in Valenzuela City.

Fire marshal Supt. Agapito Nacario said the blaze consumed imported plastic resins stocked at the warehouse of Uniware Plastic Inc. located at 116 Alicia Street, Fortune 4, Barangay Parada.

The firm manufactures monobloc chairs, kitchen utensils, basins and water jugs and other plasticware.

Nacario said one of the factory owners, Eddie Go, 37, suffered second-degree burns on his left arm when he tried to put out the fire during its early stage around 4 a.m.

Go?s sister Elisa told arson probers they were awakened by a loud explosion near their factory before the transmitter started to produce sparks.

She said the flames engulfed the depot which had a large quantity of plastic products and chemicals.

Nacario said the blaze was placed under control after three hours but firefighters had a hard time putting out the fire because of the presence of highly combustible materials which required special chemicals to contain the blaze.

The almost 10-hour fire caused panic in a heavily populated section of the city while classes at the Fatima School of Physical Therapy, separated only from the factory by a perimeter wall, had to be suspended. Gigi Mu?oz David