A fire broke out at the Liguang market in northern China’s Zhangjiakou city on Saturday, killing eight people and injuring 15 others, state media reported.
The fire, which broke out around noon, was extinguished by 2 p.m. local time, Xinhua news agency reported, citing officials in Qiao Xi district, where the market is located.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
Liguang Market, like many traditional food markets in China, is often crowded with shoppers looking for an affordable alternative to supermarket chains. While these markets are vibrant, they can also be prone to fire hazards.
Possible ignition sources range from gas cylinders to cooking charcoal to discarded cigarette butts. Aging infrastructure, such as outdated underground gas pipelines, has also been linked to past fires and explosions in similar environments.
The tragedy highlights the risks associated with traditional market settings, where safety protocols are difficult to enforce amidst the hustle and bustle.
Zhangjiakou, a city in Hebei province near Beijing, attracted international attention after co-hosting events during the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Deadly fires occur frequently in China, often blamed on lax building regulations and inadequate workplace safety standards.
In October, a fire broke out in Chengdu and 24 people were hospitalized with respiratory problems. In early July, a shopping center fire in southwestern China’s Zigong city claimed the lives of 16 people.
