Tragic Fire at Fujian Shoe Factory Claims 28 Lives
WHO:
ABC News - Chinese President Xi Jinping demanded “an all-out search and rescue effort," urging a swift investigation of the incident and “strictly hold those responsible accountable.”
ABC News - The factory’s owner and others in charge have been arrested and the company’s accounts have been frozen.
BBC News - At least 28 people were killed in a fire at a shoe factory in China.
CNN - Firefighters and rescue teams were involved in the response to the fire.
WHAT:
NBC News - A total of 239 people were at the factory when the fire broke out, with 213 evacuated and 26 confirmed dead after being reported missing.
NBC News - A dozen or so people were seen on the rooftop, apparently trapped by the blaze.
NBC News - Firefighting and rescue efforts were still underway, with open flames largely extinguished by about 4 p.m. local time.
ABC News - There were 237 factory workers and two visitors in the building when the fire broke out. Authorities evacuated or rescued 213 people. Of the 28 people who died, two were pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital.
BBC News - A fire at a shoe factory resulted in at least 28 fatalities.
CNN - The fire broke out at around noon and left casualties, with some individuals trapped on the rooftop.
CNN - Fire and rescue teams dispatched 183 people and 35 vehicles to the site.
CNN - Preliminary findings indicate the fire started on the ground floor of the factory.
WHERE:
ABC News - The fire occurred at the Huiteng shoe company in the city of Jinjiang.
BBC News - The incident occurred in a shoe factory located in Fujian, China.
CNN - The fire took place in the city of Jinjiang, Fujian province, which is known as China’s “shoe capital.”
WHEN:
CNN - The fire broke out on a Thursday around noon (0400 GMT).
CNN - Firefighting efforts were still underway, although open flames had largely been extinguished by about 5:40 p.m. (0940 GMT).
WHY:
CNN - The fire spread rapidly due to highly flammable shoe-making materials stored in the building.
HOW:
NBC News - Large amounts of items had been piled up in the stairwells, hampering rescue and firefighting efforts.
CNN - Due to the materials and adhesives present, the smell at the scene was quite pungent, causing eye irritation.
CNN - Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze and rescue people trapped inside the factory.
(UPDATED July 9, 2026 19:25 UTC)
A tragic fire at a factory has resulted in 26 confirmed deaths, with 213 people successfully evacuated out of a total of 239 present when the blaze erupted. Rescue teams are still working to assist those trapped, with reports of a dozen individuals seen on the rooftop, while firefighting efforts have largely extinguished the open flames. However, the situation has been complicated by large piles of items obstructing the stairwells, hindering both rescue and firefighting operations.
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(UPDATED July 9, 2026 17:41 UTC)
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an all-out search and rescue effort following a tragic fire at the Huiteng shoe company in Jinjiang, demanding a swift investigation and accountability for those responsible. Of the 237 people in the building at the time, 213 were evacuated or rescued, but sadly, 28 individuals lost their lives, with two pronounced dead after reaching the hospital. In the aftermath, the factory's owner and others in charge have been arrested, and the company's accounts have been frozen as authorities continue to address the situation.
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(UPDATED July 9, 2026 15:59 UTC)
A devastating fire at a shoe factory in Jinjiang, Fujian province, China, has resulted in at least 28 fatalities, with some individuals reportedly trapped on the rooftop. Firefighters and rescue teams, comprising 183 personnel and 35 vehicles, responded quickly to the scene, where preliminary findings suggest the blaze began on the ground floor and spread rapidly due to flammable materials. While open flames were largely extinguished by about 5:40 p.m., firefighting efforts continued as rescuers worked to assist those still inside the building.