A major fire at a shoe factory in Jinjiang, in China’s eastern Fujian province, kills 28 people, according to state news agency Xinhua and multiple media reports. The blaze is reported to break out at about 12:04 p.m. local time at the Huiteng Shoes factory on Kaituo Road East, in the village of Jiangtou, Chendai township, Jinjiang. Authorities dispatch a large emergency response, including 183 firefighters and 35 emergency vehicles, to contain the flames and search for any people trapped inside.
Chinese President Xi Jinping orders an all-out effort to rescue victims and ensure medical treatment, and also calls for an investigation into the cause of the fire. Reports indicate the fire is brought largely under control by later in the day, while rescue teams face difficulty accessing some parts of the building because of intense flames and smoke. Several outlets also note concerns that people may still be inside as the search and rescue continues. Preliminary information cited in at least one report suggests the fire may start on the ground floor, where shoe-making materials and adhesives are stored, contributing to rapid spread.
