The fire broke out this afternoon in the factory in the northern part of Wenling City and burned an area of more than 800 square meters, authorities said.
The fire left at least 16 people dead, they said. Over 20 people were rescued by firefighters.
Twenty-nine fire engines and nearly 100 firefighters took part in rescue operation. Firefighters are still searching for survivors, state news agency Xinhua reported.
Yesterday, 14 people were killed and seven others injured in an explosion in southwest China. The explosion took place at Laoshan village in Guizhou province.