Fire Rages from the Ground Up! 28 Dead in Jinjiang, Fujian Shoe Factory Tragedy: Xi Jinping Orders Thorough Investigation—How Did Aging Wiring Become a Death Trap?

On July 9, 2026, at 12:04 PM, a major fire erupted at the Huiteng Footwear Company factory in Jiangtou Village, Chendai Town, Jinjiang City, Fujian Province, China. The incident has resulted in the tragic deaths of 28 people. According to CCTV News, the fire started on the ground floor and quickly spread upward, engulfing the entire building. It was not until nearly 6 PM that firefighters managed to extinguish the flames.

Eyewitnesses reported that the fire spread rapidly after ignition at noon. A local resident told China News Weekly that the blaze was extremely fierce and that most factory workers were middle-aged migrants. At the time of the fire, multiple individuals were trapped on the rooftop, prompting a large-scale emergency response involving numerous fire and rescue vehicles. Surrounding roads were temporarily closed.

A social media user on Weibo claimed the fire originated from an e-bike parking shelter due to aging electrical wiring. As e-bikes caught fire one after another, the flames spread into the warehouse, which was filled with shoe components and finished products, significantly accelerating the fire's expansion. The fire reportedly climbed from the first floor to the top floor, trapping many workers on the third and fourth floors. Some attempted to escape by running downstairs, but many could not make it in time.

The Xinhua News Agency confirmed the incident late that evening, identifying the company as Huiteng Footwear Co., located in Chendai Town, Jinjiang. The factory fire has raised serious concerns about industrial safety standards, particularly in privately operated manufacturing facilities.

In response, Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping issued urgent instructions, emphasizing the need for full-scale search and rescue operations, proper post-incident support for victims' families, and a swift, thorough investigation into the cause of the fire. He also stressed the importance of holding responsible parties accountable. The incident has sparked national attention on aging infrastructure, fire safety compliance, and worker protection in China’s manufacturing sector.