President Xi Jinping demands ‘a swift inquiry into the cause of the fire and for those responsible to be held accountable’
2-MIN READ2-MINXinlu Liangin BeijingPublished: 9:47pm, 9 Jul 2026Updated: 9:48pm, 9 Jul 2026Twenty-eight people died following a massive fire in a shoe manufacturing plant in Jinjiang, in China’s eastern Fujian province, on Thursday, state news agency Xinhua reported.
The blaze was reported at 12.04pm at the Huiteng Shoes Co. factory on Kaituo Road East in the town of Chendai.
Fire authorities in Quanzhou sent emergency crews, including 183 firefighters and 35 fire trucks, to the scene in Jiangtou village, state broadcaster CCTV said. By late Thursday afternoon, local authorities said the fire had been brought under control, but the number of casualties remained unclear, according to CCTV.
Video footage circulating on social media showed towering flames and thick black smoke billowing from the building, with several people trapped on the rooftop signalling for help. Witnesses reported seeing a helicopter deployed for rescue operations.
Xi ordered “all-out efforts” to rescue the trapped, treat the injured and properly handle follow-up care and family consolation, while demanding “a swift inquiry into the cause of the fire and for those responsible to be held accountable”, according to Xinhua.
