Deadly Fire at Major Shoe Factory in China's 'Shoe Capital' Kills 28
A massive fire broke out on Thursday at a multi-story shoe factory in Jinjiang, Fujian province, southeastern China, resulting in 28 fatalities, according to Reuters and the state news agency Xinhua. The blaze started around noon local time on the factory's ground floor, where highly flammable raw materials for shoe production accelerated the fire's spread. Thick black smoke and flames engulfed the building, trapping several workers on the roof, as seen in footage broadcast by state TV channel CCTV. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours and had largely extinguished visible flames by 5:40 p.m.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered full rescue efforts, a thorough investigation into the cause, and strict legal action against those responsible, Xinhua reported. The fire also caused eye irritation in the surrounding area due to the strong smell of chemicals and adhesives stored at the site. Jinjiang, a coastal city known as China's "Shoe Capital," hosts thousands of companies that produced over 1.2 billion pairs of shoes in 2024, accounting for about 20% of global output.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident as rescue and recovery operations proceed.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
