Deadly fire at Chinese shoe factory kills 28, investigation underway

A fire at a shoe factory in Jinjiang, Fujian province, on July 9, 2026, has left at least 28 people dead and 213 evacuated, according to state media Source: portafolioco. The blaze broke out around noon at the Fujian Huiteng Shoes facility, where 237 workers and two visitors were present Source: infobae.

What happened

The fire originated on the first floor in a pressing workshop where flammable materials like adhesives and foam were stored, leading to rapid spread Source: elmundoes. Workers became trapped on the roof, and dramatic videos showed them stripping off clothes and receiving water from firefighters below Source: clarin. The building had five floors, each 1,300 square meters, with cluttered stairwells that hampered evacuation Source: heraldomx.

Response and investigation

Over 180 firefighters and 35 vehicles were deployed, and the search ended by 00:35 local time on July 10 Source: infobae. President Xi Jinping ordered full rescue efforts and a thorough investigation, stating that those responsible must be held accountable Source: euronewses. The factory owner and other executives were detained, and the company's bank accounts were frozen Source: lavozar. The cause is under investigation, but early reports point to combustible materials and poor safety conditions Source: elmundoes.