Fire hits Valenzuela City plastics factory

MANILA, Philippines - One person was injured after a fire of still undetermined origin razed a plastic monobloc furniture factory in Valenzuela City before dawn Thursday. Metro Manila fire marshal Senior Superintendent Pablo Cordeta said they have confined the fire as of 7 a.m. to prevent it from spreading to nearby residential areas. "Yan ang aming pinipilit. Confined ito at walang dapat ikatakot [We focused on preventing the fire from spreading to residential areas. The fire has been confined so there is no cause for alarm]," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. Citing initial information reaching him, he identified the injured as Eduardo Tabero, reportedly an employee of the factory. Tabero suffered first-degree burns, he said. The fire sent nearby residents into a panic, fighting with firefighters for water hoses. Cordeta said the fire started at 4:11 a.m. and reached the fifth alarm, prompting firefighters to rush to the site. Radio dzBB's Mao dela Cruz reported the firefighters used foam to suppress the flames. The report also said smoke can be seen from as far as the North Luzon Expressway. Arson investigators are verifying information the factory at Alicia Street in Parada village owned by Eddie Go caught fire after a nearby electrical post exploded. On the other hand, dwIZ radio reported residents trying to save their belongings fought with police and firefighters, with some residents grappling with firefighters for fire hoses. An unverified report on dwIZ said a firefighter was injured after fighting with residents. "Kuya ko ang sinuntok, putok ang noo [One of the firefighters punched my brother]," a resident said. Residents also said they heard explosions, but the dwIZ report quoted the owners of the family as saying there were no chemicals stored in the factory. - GMANews.TV