Blaze Breaks Out at Fujian Shoe Factory
A deadly fire broke out at a shoe factory in eastern China on Thursday, prompting a major rescue operation.
The blaze started around noon at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang city, Fujian province. Authorities said nearly 200 fire and rescue personnel rushed to the scene.
The Ministry of Emergency Management said 183 personnel and 35 rescue vehicles were deployed to control the fire.
Casualties Reported as Workers Remain Trapped
Authorities confirmed that the fire caused casualties. However, they did not immediately release the number of people killed or injured.
State media reported that some people were still trapped inside the building and remained out of contact.
Live footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed firefighters spraying water on a badly burned multi-story building. Thick gray smoke was seen rising from broken windows.
Investigation Ordered Into Fire Cause
The Ministry of Emergency Management ordered rescue teams to make all-out efforts to extinguish the fire, search for trapped workers, and treat the injured.
Officials also called for a full investigation into the cause of the blaze. The ministry said lessons must be learned to prevent similar accidents in the future.
China has recently increased action against fire hazards after several deadly incidents. In November, a major fire in Hong Kong killed 168 people. A month later, a residential building fire in Guangdong province killed 12 people.
