Over 10 trapped in fire-ravaged China marketplace

More than ten people were believed to remain trapped in a wholesale market that had been ravaged by fire in south China's Guangdong Province on Thursday afternoon, witnesses said.

The fire broke out at about 1:51 p.m. in a warehouse on the top floor of a four-story small merchandise wholesale market in Huidong County, the county government said in a statement.

It said 120 local fire fighters with 20 fire engines arrived soon at the site and later another 150 fire fighters from nearby cities joined the rescue operation.

The fire had been put under control by 7:35 p.m. to prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.

Fire fighters have rescued five people after storming into the fire site three times. During the rescue operation, four fire fighters were injured, including one in serious condition.

The rescued recounted that more than 10 people were trapped in a cinema on the fourth floor. The rescue operation for the trapped is under way.

As the fire has ravaged almost all the fourth floor, experts said the marketplace runs against the risk of collapse after on-the-site evaluation.