Manila: A fire that broke out early Friday gutted a candle factory in Barangay Pao, Manaoag, but did not spread to nearby houses, the town mayor said. Manaoag Mayor Jeremy Agerico Rosario stated that firefighters were still battling the blaze as of Friday morning due to the combustible materials, including petroleum, inside the facility.

According to Philippines News Agency, "Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel from as far as Lingayen and Dagupan City are also helping put out the fire," Rosario mentioned in a radio interview. The fire reached Task Force Alpha alarm, with more than 24 fire trucks responding, according to the BFP.

Firefighters utilized aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to help contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby homes, Rosario said. "The factory was totally gutted, but the fire did not spread to nearby houses," he reported.

No injuries were reported as of 10 a.m. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.