Fruit stall owner held after nine people hurt in acid attack

A fruit stall owner was arrested after nine people were hurt by corrosive drain cleaner in a dispute between two stall owners at a Cheung Sha Wan market.

Police said the clash happened at 10.15am yesterday inside the market on Po On Road.

A fruit stall owner, 57, is believed to have quarrelled with a married couple who own a neighbouring fruit stall about how their goods were laid out.

The suspect then allegedly picked up a bottle of drain cleaner and threw it on the couple. The woman suffered first-degree burns while her husband also sustained minor injuries.

Another stall owner who witnessed the incident said he heard the woman calling for help.

"She screamed and said someone had splashed drain cleaner on her. She then asked if anyone had water so she could wash it off," said the witness, who has been selling fruit at the market for 20 years. The witness added that the neighbouring stall owners often argued.