A fire at a food market on Saturday in northern China killed at least eight people and injured 15 others, state media said.

The fire at the Liguang market in the city of Zhangjiakou broke out at 08:40 am on Saturday and was mostly extinguished by 12:00 pm (0400 GMT), Xinhua News Agency reported, citing a government official in Qiaoxi District where the market is located.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, the report said.

Fire sources can range from gas bottles to charcoal used to roast meat and discarded cigarettes.

Zhangjiakou, located in Hebei province bordering Beijing, hosted events during the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. (AP)