Tension gripped the occupants of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City after fire hit its basement area Saturday afternoon.

Fortunately, no casualty was reported, said SFO2 Gerson Moncada, Makati City arson investigator, but some occupants of the hotel was forced to vacate the building temporarily.

He said fire started at the hotel's engineering department, particularly paint stockroom located at the basement, at12:45 pm.

The fire reached the first alarm and was immediately placed under control at 1:45 pm.

Moncada said the fire damaged the air duct system of the hotel. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.