Hongkongers will probably have to shell out more for fresh fruit in the run up to the Mid-Autumn Festival, following a third-alarm fire which scorched around 30 stalls in the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market.
The fire ignited in a stall near Shek Lung Street at 4:24pm yesterday and was put out at 9:19pm, with the use of eight jets, three turntable ladder monitors, and eight breathing apparatus teams, according to a government statement.
Shopowners in the 103-year-old market told Ming Pao that the fire had taken place just after they increased their stock in anticipation of higher demand during the Mid-Autumn Festival. They said that the shortage of fruit could result in prices soaring before upcoming festivities.
Seasonal fruit is traditionally given in gift baskets during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Sept. 15 this year.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
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