A private contractor digging underground is blamed for touching off a fire Tuesday morning in Norristown.

Peco Energy says workers hit wires near Main and Barbadoes Streets, sparking a fire that spread to a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts Shop.

An employee there was taken to a hospital for treatment of burns to her hands, suffered when she tried to extinguish the fire.  Peco says about 25 businesses were without power for most of the day while repairs were being done.

Dunkin’ Donuts, which suffered heavy fire damage to its electrical equipment, will be closed indefinitely.