A fire broke out at a shoe factory in the city of Jinjiang in southeastern China, causing “significant” casualties, Chinese President Xi Jinping said.
The fire began around noon local time on Thursday at a facility in Fujian province. Video shown by Chinese state media shows flames bursting from the windows of the building’s top floor, with thick plumes of smoke rising over the complex. At least a dozen people appeared in the footage to be trapped on the roof as fire and smoke engulfed the factory.
Xi Jinping ordered local authorities to make every effort to search for and rescue people, provide assistance to the injured, determine the cause of the fire, and hold those responsible accountable, CCTV reported.
China’s Ministry of Emergency Management said the fire had “caused casualties,” but did not provide details. According to Beijing News, the blaze had largely been extinguished by 5 p.m.
According to CCTV, the factory belongs to Fujian Huiteng Shoes. Registration documents show that at least 155 people worked at the facility.