A Fujian shoe factory fire in Jinjiang killed at least 28 people after flames spread through the Huiteng Shoes facility. Firefighters launched a major rescue operation as officials investigated the cause and reviewed safety risks tied to flammable shoe-making materials.

A major fire at a shoe factory in Jinjiang, Fujian province, killed at least 28 people and triggered a large rescue operation in southeastern China on Thursday, July 9, 2026.

Jinjiang Shoe Factory Fire

The blaze broke out around 12:00 p.m. China Standard Time at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang, a major footwear manufacturing hub in Fujian province. Authorities said 239 people were inside the building when the fire started, including 237 workers and two visitors.

Huiteng Shoes Factory Rescue Operation

Emergency crews deployed a major response after reports that people were trapped inside the building. Officials said 213 people were evacuated, while others were later confirmed dead after initially being reported missing. Fire and rescue teams worked for hours to contain the flames and search the factory.

China Industrial Safety Concerns

Preliminary findings indicated that the fire started on the ground floor of the five-story building. Reports said shoe-making materials and adhesives stored inside the facility may have helped the flames spread quickly, raising fresh concerns about fire safety in manufacturing sites.

Workplace Safety Investigation

Chinese authorities have opened an investigation into the cause of the Fujian shoe factory fire. Officials are expected to examine emergency exits, storage practices, fire controls and whether workplace safety rules were properly followed.

The fire also draws attention to safety risks in major manufacturing hubs that supply global markets. China remains central to international supply chains, and deadly industrial accidents can raise wider concerns about labor conditions, emergency preparedness, workplace protections and safety enforcement in export-driven industries.