China market blaze kills eight, injures 15

A fire at a vegetable market in China’s northern Hebei province claimed the lives of eight individuals and injured 15.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire that erupted in Zhangjiakou city, located northwest of Beijing, and was extinguished approximately an hour later, the broadcaster reported.

Videos shared by other media on China’s platform showed thick plumes of smoke and large flames engulfing the market in the Qiaoxi district.

“The injured have been taken to the hospital and are not currently in life-threatening condition,” stated the Qiaoxi District People’s Government following the incident.

Referred to as the Liguang vegetable market by some media outlets, it opened in 2011 and sold a variety of goods, including fruits, seafood, and electronics, according to data from the company Qichacha.

Deadly fires are relatively frequent in China, often attributed to lax building codes and inadequate workplace safety practices.

A fire in Chengdu in October hospitalized 24 people with breathing difficulties, while a fire at a shopping center in Zigong city in July resulted in 16 fatalities.