A fire that struck a mid-rise commercial building in Raon, Sta. Cruz, Manila on Tuesday afternoon, July 28, mainly damaged the third floor used as storage for electrical supply products, authorities said.

The blaze, which broke out at around 12:31 p.m., quickly escalated to second alarm, with thick smoke seen rising from the upper levels of the Martinez Layva Building along Rizal Avenue corner Raon Street.

Firefighters said the most significant damage was confined to the third floor, where stocks of electrical supplies from ground-level shops were kept.

No injuries or casualties were reported.

Authorities said the fire was declared under control at 4:19 p.m. and fully extinguished at 4:34 p.m., followed by mopping-up operations.

Firefighters noted that intermittent rain helped contain the blaze, but operations were slowed by the difficulty of accessing the upper floors, requiring responders to repeatedly move equipment up and down the building.

The incident also disrupted traffic along Rizal Avenue and nearby streets, with authorities closing portions of the road as fire trucks and emergency responders took over the area.

Vendors and nearby shop owners were forced to temporarily halt operations as thick smoke spread and authorities secured the perimeter.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.