MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - Investigators said the fire that razed Laperal Compound in Guadalupe, Makati on Tuesday was caused by faulty electrical wiring.

Nine were reportedly injured.

An unidentified boarder was charging a cellphone when the electrical outlet sparked and fire immediately spread.

"Light materials kasi itong mga bahay kaya ang hirap talaga kontrolin ang pagkalat," said Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Director General Santiago Laguna.

Both the boarder and owner of the house where the fire started are missing, authorities said.

Firefighters had a difficult time putting out the fire due to the narrow passageways. LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) tanks also exploded, and nearby billboards were damaged.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the damage of the fire may reach an estimated P35 million.

At least 3,000 families lost their homes.

Some of them will spend Holy Week at the nearby San Carlos seminary, the Nuestra Señora de Gracia parish church, or nearby gymnasiums and public schools which will serve as temporary shelters.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Jr. promised assistance to the fire victims.

“We have now set up a specific place for our evacuees. It’s along Mabolo Street, and members from the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), Department of Health, engineering department and barangay officials are working on that area right now,” Binay said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.

Relocation in Bulacan or Laguna

Binay said that their long term plan is to relocate the affected residents to the Makati-GK Village in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and in Calauan, Laguna.

“We have several hectares of land actually in those areas and we will help these families relocate,” he said.

He also disclosed that a syndicate has been running a portion of the estimated one-hectare Laperal Compound, which was being rented out illegally to hundreds of tenants.

“We have our own master list and there are about 2,000-2,500 families in our list. And if we can work with Mr. Laperal…[we will] work for the immediate relocation of the families,” said Binay.

"We are strongly urging them to relocate. We feel that the place may no longer be safe. It's for their own safety and peace of mind," he added.

Binay said the city government is studying if it is still safe to allow settlers back to the compound due to its overpopulation and lack of basic sanitation facilities.

The city's Engineering Department was also instructed to inspect the structural soundness of billboards and other structures affected by the fire.

Since 1997, 4 incidents of fire have been reported in the area. -- With a report from Atom Araullo, ABS-CBN News