Update: Shunde textile-factory fire kills eight; search ends as cause remains under investigation

Xinhua News Agency reported at 11:09 a.m. China Standard Time on September 21, or 03:09 UTC, that it had learned from Guangdong provincial authorities of a fire at a textile company's premises in Shunde district, Foshan, on the afternoon of September 20.

The authorities confirmed eight deaths and one injury. State television later reported that the fire began in a two-storey building inside an industrial park used for production activities including denim-fabric washing.

The fire began at about 3:12 p.m. on September 20 and was extinguished roughly an hour later without spreading to adjacent areas. Search and rescue later concluded, while the cause remained under investigation.

A social-media video verified by Reuters showed thick smoke rising from the building while a nearby taller building appeared unaffected. N Globe does not republish unlicensed scene footage; the page uses a clearly labelled editorial illustration.

Verification status: corrected/updated. News value: S-level breaking news. Origin region: China (Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong). Primary section: Safety. Related regions: Asia and World. First official information published: September 21, 2026, 11:09 a.m. China Standard Time. Updated: September 21, 2026.