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Fire rips through San Cosme Market in Mexico City

Mexico City, Mexico — A fire in the San Cosme Market in the Santa María la Rivera neighborhood of Mexico City has destroyed more than 65 percent of the shopping area.

Authorities say the fire has left 340 of the 520 shops inside the market destroyed after fierce flames ripped through the market, collapsing part of the roof along the north side.

The Mexico City Fire Department reported that the fire started around 5:00 a.m. Sunday, forcing the eviction of 150 people. Emergency personnel scrambled to shut down the 25 portable gas tanks and 16 300-liter stationary gas tanks they found.

More than 45 firemen on 10 trucks arrived on scene from five Mexico City fire stations in Tacuba, Tacubaya, Cuauhtémoc, Azcapotzalco and Benito Juárez.

The Command, Control, Computing, Communications and Citizen Contact Center (C5) and the Fire Department reported that by 8:00 a.m., the fire was under control.

No human injuries were reported. There is no word yet on the cause of the blaze.