A devastating fire has swept through a residential area in the coastal city of Oita, southern Japan, impacting over 170 buildings. The blaze has resulted in one person missing and the evacuation of approximately 175 residents, according to reports.
The incident occurred in the Saganoseki district of Oita, located approximately 770 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. Residents were forced to flee to an emergency shelter after the fire erupted early Wednesday morning.
Authorities have confirmed that one individual remains unaccounted for, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. Local officials have stated that approximately 300 homes in a section of Oita are without power as a result of the incident.
Reports indicate that firefighters are battling to contain the blaze, which originated in the town of Oita on the island of Kyushu. The fire has also spread to a nearby forested area, posing additional challenges to emergency responders.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated on social media that a military firefighting helicopter had been dispatched at the request of the Oita Prefecture governor to assist in the firefighting efforts.
Aerial footage broadcast by local media outlets depicts widespread devastation, with homes reduced to rubble and thick plumes of smoke billowing from the affected area. Reports also suggest that the flames have extended to adjacent wooded slopes.
The extent of the damage is still being assessed, and authorities are working to provide assistance to those affected by this tragic event. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
