Men with masks set fire to major market in Mexico, killing nine

A gang of masked men carried out a deadly attack on the second largest market in the central Mexican city of Toluca, discharging their guns before setting the location on fire, Aljazeera reported.

The incident resulted in the death of nine people, eight of them at the site and one more in a hospital, a statement from the State of Mexico’s prosecutor said.

The fire was the result of disputes between vendors and owners of premises at the market, according to Toluca Mayor Raymundo Martinez.

In the past, gangs have set fires at public markets in Mexico to extort protection payments from vendors. However, some recent blazes have also been set by vendors disputing stall placement within the markets.