A fire erupted at a food market in northern China on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people and injuries to 15 others, according to state media reports.
The incident occurred at the Liguang market in Zhangjiakou city and began around midday. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control by 2:00 p.m. (0600 GMT), the Xinhua News Agency reported, citing officials from Qiaoxi District, where the market is situated.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire, the report stated.
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Traditional markets like this one are typically crowded with shoppers drawn by lower prices compared to supermarket chains.
Potential fire hazards in such markets include gas cylinders, charcoal used for roasting meat, and discarded cigarettes. Additionally, aging infrastructure, including underground gas pipelines, has previously been identified as a factor in fires and explosions.
Zhangjiakou, located in Hebei province near Beijing, was one of the host cities for events during the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.