MANILA - (2nd UPDATE) The Star City amusement park will try to re-open within the year after it was hit by a huge fire early Wednesday morning.

"We will try to open this year. Depending on the assessments of our engineers," Ed de Leon told ABS-CBN News in a text message, contrary to an earlier announced statement that they will be closed during the Christmas season.

Aside from Star City, the office of radio and television network Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), which owns DZRH and Love Radio, was also gutted by the blaze.

The group of companies earlier said that "Star City, which was hardest hit by the fire, will be closed through the Christmas season."

Star City spokesperson Rudolph Jularbal also said the popular amusement part might only re-open in October 2020.

• Fire hits Star City in Pasay

Malacañang on Wednesday expressed solidarity with the MBC, and Star City management following the tragic fire.

"As we near Christmas, this is truly sad news knowing that Star City is a place where Filipino families visit to celebrate the Yuletide season," Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

"To our friends in the media who are affected, we wish to let them know that we are one with them in this tragic incident. We call on government instrumentalities to extend any form of assistance to those hit by the blaze," he said.

The blaze erupted at 12:22 a.m. and was believed to have started in the stockroom of plushies and an assortment of prizes, Pasay City fire marshal Paul Pili said.

Flames quickly spread to other parts of the building and huge plumes of smoke were seen billowing into the sky. The blaze was brought under control at 4:30 a.m.

Star City sits at the Bay City, which is surrounded by hotels, offices, and residential buildings.