Fujian Factory Blaze
Fujian Shoe Factory Fire Traps Workers, Casualties Reported as Rescuers Face Blocked Entry
Key Points
As of 3:20 pm local time, rescuers were still unable to enter the burning Huiteng Shoe Industry Co. factory, with operations focused on extinguishing the blaze and locating missing workers.
The fire reportedly began around local noon, which corresponds to 04:00 GMT, indicating a rapid escalation shortly after start time.
Several outlets noted that casualty numbers had not yet been confirmed and the full extent of the disaster remained unclear as authorities evaluated the situation.
A fire tore through a shoe factory in Jinjiang, southeastern China on Thursday, causing what President Xi Jinping called "significant" casualties, according to The New York Times. The blaze broke out around noon local time (0400 GMT) at the Huiteng Shoe Industry Co. in Chendai town, with workers reportedly trapped on the rooftop as flames blocked rescuers from entering the building.
As of 3:20 pm local time, firefighters still could not get inside the factory. About 183 firefighters and 35 fire engines were on the scene. China's Ministry of Emergency Management ordered a full mobilization of rescue resources and sent a joint working group to oversee the response, according to Ledger Enquirer.
Xi Orders All-Out Rescue as Casualties Mount
President Xi Jinping personally warned of heavy loss of life and ordered an all-out rescue effort, according to Ledger Enquirer. Exact casualty numbers have not been confirmed. State media reported "major casualties" on the ground floor of the factory, but officials urged caution as the full scale of the disaster remained unclear.
A joint working group was dispatched to supervise the rescue on the ground. Authorities also began medical treatment for the injured while searches for missing workers continued. Officials called for transparency as the situation developed throughout the afternoon.
Flames Blocked Entry for Hours After Ignition
The fire started around noon and escalated quickly. By early afternoon, rescuers still could not enter the building. Firefighters focused on bringing the blaze under control before they could search inside, according to Head Topics.
Some workers escaped to the rooftop to avoid the flames below. Rescuers worked to reach them from outside the building. The rapid spread of the fire made the operation especially dangerous in the first hours after ignition.
Jinjiang: A Hub of China's Shoe Manufacturing Industry
The fire struck in Jinjiang, a city in Fujian province known as a center of China's shoe industry. The factory, Huiteng Shoe Industry Co., sits in Chendai town, one of the area's key manufacturing zones, according to Kansas City Star.
Fujian province is often referred to as the heartland of Chinese footwear production. Factories there employ large numbers of workers, which raises the stakes when fires break out. Thursday's blaze is one of the most serious industrial incidents in the region in recent memory.
Rescue Operation Ongoing, Full Death Toll Still Unknown
Authorities have not released a final casualty count. The search for missing workers was still active as of mid-afternoon Thursday. Officials said injured workers were receiving medical care, but gave no specific numbers, according to Bradenton Herald.
The Ministry of Emergency Management called for all available resources to be used. Xinhua and Global Times both confirmed the government response was escalating. Updates are expected as firefighters gain access to the building and complete their search.
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