A shoe factory fire in southeastern China’s Fujian province killed 28 people, raising concerns over worker safety. The fire occurred at the Fujian Huiteng factory in Jinjiang, a major manufacturing hub for sports shoes.

Investigation Underway

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, which started on the first level of the concrete-structured building. Local media footage showed people trapped on the roof, enveloped in thick black smoke, while fire truck hoses struggled to reach the flames.

The factory’s owner and managers were arrested, and the company’s accounts were frozen. Chinese President Xi Jinping demanded a swift investigation and said those responsible would be held accountable.

Work safety has been a persistent problem in China, with 18,261 people dying in nearly 20,000 workplace accidents across the country in 2025. The area where the fire occurred, Jinjiang, is considered the “shoe capital” of China, producing about a fifth of all athletic shoes.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.