Major Fire Erupts at Shoe Factory in China’s Jinjiang, President Reports Many Casualties

A large fire broke out around noon on July 9, 2026, at a multi-story shoe factory in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, China, known as the "Shoe Capital" of the country. Dramatic footage broadcast by China Central Television (CCTV) showed massive flames engulfing the building and thick black smoke rising into the sky. Several people were seen trapped on the factory's roof, surrounded by smoke.

Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered an extensive rescue operation, stating the fire had caused "many casualties." As of now, the exact number of deaths and injuries remains unknown. Local fire officials told CCTV that 183 firefighters and 35 fire trucks were deployed to the scene. By the afternoon, most visible flames had been extinguished.

Preliminary investigations indicate the fire started on the ground floor, where highly flammable raw materials for shoe production were stored. These materials contributed to the rapid spread of the fire and produced a strong acrid smell that caused severe eye irritation at the site.

Jinjiang is a global hub for footwear manufacturing, with thousands of companies producing over 1.2 billion pairs of shoes in 2024 alone, accounting for about 20% of the world's total output. The incident has raised concerns about industrial safety in this critical manufacturing region.