Fire engulfs shoe factory in southeastern China
Firefighters worked to reach people trapped in a burning shoe factory in southeastern China on Thursday as state media reported an unknown number of casualties and President Xi Jinping suggested the blaze may have caused heavy loss of life, reports BritPanorama.
The fire broke out at around noon in the city of Jinjiang in Fujian province, with some individuals reportedly trapped on the rooftop, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
While the exact number of casualties remains unclear, Xi issued a directive urging an all-out rescue effort, noting that the fire had “caused significant casualties” and suggesting it may have led to a heavy loss of life.
Videos released by CCTV showed flames engulfing the multi-storey factory and thick black smoke billowing into the sky, with several people visibly trapped on the rooftop amid swirling smoke.
Firefighting efforts continued throughout the night, although local officials indicated that open flames had largely been extinguished by about 5 a.m. ET. Fire and rescue teams dispatched 183 personnel and 35 vehicles to the scene.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire started on the ground floor of the factory, where highly flammable shoe-making materials were stored. Local officials suggested that these materials contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze.
The pungent smell at the scene caused by the materials and adhesives led to eye irritation among responders, CCTV reported.
Jinjiang is known as China’s “shoe capital,” a significant footwear and apparel manufacturing hub, producing over 1.2 billion pairs of shoes in 2024, which accounted for approximately 20% of global output, according to official data.
The ongoing situation remains critical as rescue operations continue, with local authorities under pressure to ascertain the full extent of the tragedy.
