Fire at Hong Kong tourist market kills 9

Nine people were killed after a deadly fire swept through a popular tourist market in Hong Kong on Wednesday. The blaze broke out at a hawker stall close to the Ladies'' Market in the city''s Mong Kok district, the Hong Kong government said in a statement. Eight charred bodies were removed from the scene, while 30 people were taken to hospital for treatment -- four are in a critical condition. Fire crews are continuing to battle the fire -- with at least 12 fire trucks on the scene, according to the (CNN). Last year, 50 stalls burned to the ground in the same street, injuring six people. The Standard reported that police investigated claims the incident on Fa Yuen Street was caused by arson -- though there is no suggestion from the authorities as to the cause of Wednesday''s blaze. (QNA) LY