KUNMING  -- A vehicle loaded with inflammable products was set ablaze outside a shopping mall in southwest China's Kunming on Friday by the driver after he hit a number of pedestrians, police said.

The driver surnamed Ma ignited the products at the front gate of the Daguan Shopping Mall at 10:40 am after hitting eight pedestrians and a row of parked electric bicycles, said a spokesperson of Kunming police.

The fire was put out by policemen and security guards with the mall.

Ma and the eight injured have been sent to hospital for treatment. None of their injuries are life-threatening.

An initial investigation showed the green Leopard SUV was rented by Ma whose intentions so far remain unknown, said the spokesman.