New Delhi, July 10 -- JINJIANG, China - When smoke began filling the lower floors of the Huiteng Shoes factory Thursday morning, some workers climbed to the roof. Others called their families. At least 28 of those inside did not make it out.

The fire broke out at approximately noon local time at the factory in Jinjiang, a coastal city in Fujian province that accounts for a substantial share of China's global footwear exports. Emergency services deployed more than 180 firefighters and 35 rescue vehicles. By early afternoon, officials said they had lost communication with workers still believed to be inside. President Xi Jinping confirmed "significant casualties" through state media as the government dispatched a fire safety team from the ...