China shoe factory fire kills 28 people

A fire that tore through a shoe factory in eastern China yesterday killed at least 28 people, state media said, after dozens of fire and rescue personnel raced to extinguish the blaze.

Hours after the fire broke out at the Huiteng Shoes factory around noon, there were fears people were still trapped inside the building in Jinjiang city, Fujian province.

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President Xi Jinping said the fire resulted in “heavy human losses”, with state news agency Xinhua later citing a preliminary toll of 28 dead.

Footage shared by state television CCTV showed firefighters dousing the facade and interior of a large, multi-story white building with fire hoses, as thick black smoke poured out.

People can be seen taking refuge near windows and on the roof of the building, while the blaze raged in the lower floors.