MANILA -- A fire left about P3.7 million worth of damage in a residential area along Tomas Mapua and Lope De Vega Streets in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Friday.

"May initial na damage, ito po ay nasa P3.7 million more or less," Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Senior Inspector Cezar Babano said.

According to Babano, the fire spread easily because the establishments were made of light materials.

“Mangyari lamang na yung establishment po natin… ang ceiling nya kasi ay doble. May ceiling sa baba ng kwarto tapos may ceiling pa sa taas. Kaya medyo po makikita nyo po yung usok na maitim. Yun po ay nanggaling sa pinakataas na ceiling…yun lang naman po ang medyo nahirapan tayo ng konti,” he said.

Babano said there was no difficulty in terms of water supply because fire volunteers and the government extended immediate help in sending fire trucks.

Although there were no casualties reported, five suffered from minor injuries.

“Mayroon pong isa sa BFP pero minor lang po at saka mayroon pong apat po sa fire volunteers pero minor lang po sya,” he said.

The fire was raised to first alarm at around 3:22 p.m, and escalated to a second alarm at 3:38 p.m.

Authorities declared fire under control at 5:31 p.m., and fire out at 6:13 p.m.

Cristine Lazo, one of the fire victims, said she couldn't help but scream when she saw the fire.

“Wala na pong gamit pati mga paninda namin 'di na po namin nasagip eh,” she said.

The cause of the fire and number of residents affected are yet to be determined.