Shoe factory fire kills 28 people in China

A massive fire at a shoe factory in southeastern China has killed at least 28 people, according state media. Video from the scene showed workers trapped on the roof as flames consumed large parts of the building.

The fire broke out at Huiteng Shoes in Jiangtou village, part of Chen­dai town in Jinjiang, a city in Fujian province, according to Xinhua. It was not clear how many workers were inside the factory when the fire started, or how many people were injured or missing.

Footage from the scene showed heavy flames and thick smoke rising from the building while several workers remained on the roof. Another video showed a worker jumping from the factory as flames burned nearby.

More than 500 rescue workers were dispatched after the fire broke out, Xinhua reported, citing officials. Authorities did not immediately release details about the cause of the fire.

Authorities have detained the factory’s owner and other people linked to the company while investigators look into the cause of the fire, Xinhua reported. The company’s bank accounts have also been frozen.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said the fire followed several deadly workplace accidents in China this year and ordered local officials to step up safety inspections, warning that similar disasters must be prevented.