2 min readNew DelhiJul 9, 2026 09:32 PM IST
First published on: Jul 9, 2026 at 05:26 PM IST
At least 28 people were killed after a major fire broke out at a shoe factory in southeastern China’s Fujian on Thursday, and several others are feared trapped as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze and search and rescue operations were launched, reports stated.
The fire broke out at 12 pm (local time) in the city of Jinjiang in Fujian province, and the cause of the fire remains unknown.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, more casualties are feared in the incident.
Videos on social media showed flames engulfing the multi-storey shoe factory after the fire broke out and thick black smoke billowing in the sky, Reuters reported. Some people, who were trapped due to the fire, could be seen in the video on the rooftop.
According to a local firefighting official, rescue operation were still under and flames were still being doused, though open flames had largely been extinguished by around 5:40 pm (local time). At least 183 people and 35 vehicles were dispatched to the site of the incident by fire and rescue teams, Reuters reported.
An official said preliminary reports indicate the blaze started on the ground floor of the factory. The shoe-making materials kept in the building were highly inflammable and could cause the fire to spread at a rapid pace, CCTV reported.
The report, quoting a local official, also added that due to the kind of material and adhesives present in the factory, the smell at the incident site became pungent and caused irritation in the eyes.
Following the incident, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management said that all the resources must be mobilised in order to extinguish the fire and verify the casualty situation, Global Times reported.
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, firefighters at the scene of a footwear factory fire in Jiangtou village, Chendai township of Jinjiang city, southeastern China's Fujian province. (AP) 
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