At least 28 dead in shoe factory fire in China's Fujian province, Xi Jinping orders investigation
A midday fire at the Huiteng shoe factory in Jinjiang, Fujian province, killed at least 28 people and trapped workers on the roof, prompting President Xi Jinping to order a full investigation and accountability.
The fire
A fire broke out around midday on 9 July at the Huiteng shoe factory in Jinjiang, a footwear manufacturing hub in China's southeastern Fujian province. The blaze started in a ground-floor workshop, according to preliminary findings by firefighters cited by state broadcaster CCTV. The multi-storey white and blue building was quickly engulfed, with thick black smoke pouring from windows and flames visible on upper floors. Workers fled to the roof to escape the fire, and some remained trapped inside for hours. By evening, the official Xinhua news agency reported at least 28 dead.
Rescue efforts
Local fire and rescue teams deployed 183 personnel and 35 vehicles, with more than 500 responders eventually mobilised. Footage showed firefighters spraying water onto the blackened building and a man being doused by emergency services, apparently to prevent burns. Fire chief Du Zhenzhou told CCTV that rescue was hampered by blocked exits and corners piled with shoe soles and other materials. The factory stored large quantities of glues and raw materials, which fuelled the flames. The fire was largely extinguished by 17:40 local time, though search operations continued.
My men had difficulty reaching the top because the exits and corners were blocked by piles of soles and various materials.
- Fire breaks out in ground-floor workshop of Huiteng shoe factory.
- 183 firefighters and 35 vehicles deployed; workers seen trapped on roof.
- Rescue hampered by blocked exits and flammable materials; Xi Jinping warns of heavy losses.
- Visible flames largely extinguished; search for trapped victims continues.
- Xinhua reports at least 28 dead; Xi orders investigation and accountability.
Political response
President Xi Jinping, who had earlier warned of "heavy human losses", ordered maximum efforts for search and rescue, support for victims' families, a swift investigation into the cause, and strict accountability. Premier Li Qiang also stated that responsibilities would be pursued according to law. The Ministry of Emergency Management and the National Fire Administration sent a joint working group to oversee the response.
Everything must be done for search and rescue operations, support for families, to quickly determine the causes of the incident and to strictly establish responsibilities.
Fire safety context
The disaster follows a series of deadly fires in China. In November, a blaze in residential towers in Hong Kong killed 168 people, and in December, a fire in a Guangdong residential building left 12 dead. Those incidents prompted a national campaign against fire risks in high-rise buildings. The Jinjiang factory fire, while not in a high-rise, raises questions about industrial safety standards in manufacturing hubs.
