US EditionFire burning in southwestern Japan damages 170 homes and forces evacuations
The fire consumed about 48,900 square meters, forcing 175 people to evacuate and causing power outages to around 300 homes, officials said.
- On Nov. 19, a fire ripped through more than 170 buildings in Saganoseki, Oita, forcing about 175 residents to evacuate to shelters after breaking out Tuesday evening.
- An emergency call at about 5:40 p.m. reported the Saganoseki blaze, with strong winds driving flames from near the Saganoseki fishing port into nearby forests and slopes.
- The fire consumed an area equivalent to seven football pitches, burning 48,900 square metres and leaving around 260 homes without power on Wednesday afternoon, Kyushu Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Co. reported.
- Dozens of fire engines and more than 200 firefighters, plus disaster-response helicopters and a military firefighting helicopter, were mobilised, and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said, `I extend my heartfelt condolences to all residents who are evacuating in the cold`.
- Described as the largest urban fire since 1976, flames spread to nearby forested slopes and an uninhabited island more than one kilometre offshore while the Oita prefectural task force will meet Wednesday.
142 Articles
142 Articles
Japan: One Dead, over 170 Buildings Damaged in Massive Fire in Oita
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. A massive fire swept through a densely populated residential area in Oita city, situated in the southwestern region of Japan, overnight, leaving one person dead and damaging more than 170 buildings, Kyodo News reported, citing local authorities, on Wednesday. World News | Japan: One Dead, over 170 Buildings Damaged in Massive Fire in Oita.
The fire broke out in the city of Oita, on the island of Kyushu - It is the largest urban fire in Japan since 1976 - The message from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
One person died and 170 buildings were damaged in a large fire in a residential area of the Japanese city of Oita, the local government reported on Wednesday. Firefighters were still fighting to extinguish the fire in the southern city, which spread to a nearby wooded mountain. Images showed firefighters extinguishing the fierce flames razing the houses on Tuesday night, while people were being moved to an improvised evacuation center. “The flam…
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