A tragic incident occurred in northern China on Saturday, where a fire at a food market resulted in the deaths of at least eight individuals and left 15 others injured, according to reports from state media.

The fire ignited at the Liguang market in Zhangjiakou city around midday and was largely brought under control by 2:00 p.m. local time, as stated by a government official from the Qiaoxi District, where the market is situated.

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire. Traditional markets like Liguang are typically crowded with consumers looking for lower prices compared to those at supermarkets.

Potential fire hazards in such environments can include gas cylinders, charcoal used for cooking meat, and improperly discarded cigarettes. Additionally, older infrastructure, including underground gas pipelines, has been implicated in past incidents of fires and explosions.

Zhangjiakou, part of Hebei province and adjacent to Beijing, previously hosted various events during the 2022 Winter Olympics, which highlighted its significance in the region.