Beijing (Monitoring Desk) At least 28 people have lost their lives after a massive fire broke out at a shoe manufacturing factory in China’s eastern Fujian province, while reports have also emerged that several people remain trapped inside the building.
According to Chinese official sources, the fire suddenly erupted on Thursday afternoon at the Wu Teng Shoes Factory located in Jinjiang city. Rescue agencies immediately launched operations after the incident, and a large number of firefighters reached the site.
According to China’s Ministry of Emergency Management, 183 personnel and 35 rescue vehicles were deployed to control the fire and carry out rescue operations. Despite hours of efforts, smoke continued to rise from the factory, while rescue teams remained engaged in searching for missing people.
Videos broadcast on state television showed several people taking shelter on the building’s windows and rooftops in an attempt to save their lives, while the fire spread intensely on the lower floors.
Jinjiang Fire Brigade Chief Du Zhenzhou said that the factory’s stairways and passages were filled with raw materials used in shoe manufacturing and other items, making it difficult for rescue workers to reach the upper floors.
He said that a large quantity of adhesive chemicals and other flammable materials were present in the factory, which caused the fire to become more severe.