Fire in Crowded Hong Kong Neighborhood Kills 9

Police say a fire that started at market stalls and spread to homes in a crowded Hong Kong neighborhood has killed 9 people and injured dozens.

People climbed to the roofs of low-rise apartment buildings as the fire spread after breaking out in the early morning Wednesday. It wasn’t brought under control until midday.

Footage by The Associated Press and local media showed firefighters rescuing people and victims being carried on stretchers.

Officials said nine people died and 34 were injured.

The fire was in Mong Kok, an area packed with stalls selling toys, clothes and accessories. Mong Kok, on the Kowloon peninsula across the harbor from Hong Kong Island, is among the world’s most densely populated neighborhoods.

Police said the fire had a “suspicious origin” and are investigating.