Manila, Jan. 15 -- A fire gutted the second floor of the old public market here on Thursday morning, destroying several stalls and displacing vendors, authorities said.

Acting Fire Senior Inspector Roy Bonoan said the fire started on the western side of the market and was reported to the Bureau of Fire Protection around 10:37 a.m.

The blaze lasted for nearly two hours and destroyed about seven stalls selling ready-to-wear clothing and other merchandise.

No injuries or casualties were reported.

Bonoan said investigators are still determining the cause of the fire, noting that the presence of combustible materials such as cardboard boxes and plastic items contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.

Vendors occupying the affected are...