A major fire devoured thousands stalls in a market in Guatemala 's capital Tuesday , state media reported . Authorities have n't determined what caused the fire , which broke out around 2:30 a.m. in La Terminal market in Guatemala City . The fire destroyed approximately 6,000 stalls in the market , the state-run AGN news agency reported . For hours , a dark column of smoke billowed from the market . Volunteer firefighters said they struggled to battle the blaze due to a shortage of water in the area , adding that they had difficulty persuading vendors to leave their stalls . `` People often stay to sleep in their posts , '' Guatemala City Mayor Alvaro Arzu said . `` They have gas tanks there . They are accidental , but with enormous consequences . '' More than 300 people were evacuated from the area , and paramedics treated at least 15 people at the scene for smoke inhalation . Two people were transported to a hospital with burns , officials said . The fire spread quickly , officials said , because many makeshift stalls in the market were built with wood and plastic . President Otto Perez Molina flew over the market Tuesday and vowed that government funds would be devoted to rebuilding , AGN said .
State media : A massive fire destroyed 6,000 stalls in La Terminal market . The fire broke out in Guatemala City around 2:30 a.m . Firefighters struggled to battle the blaze due to a shortage of water in the area .