TOKYO — Firefighters and military helicopters continued battling a massive blaze in Oita, southwestern Japan, after a fire tore through a coastal neighborhood of old wooden houses, killing one person and forcing large-scale evacuations.
More than 170 residents fled their homes as the fire swept through the Saganoseki district of Oita City, according to local disaster officials. A man in his 70s was reported missing, and firefighters later discovered a body believed to be his. A woman in her 50s sustained minor injuries.
Officials said the fire began Tuesday evening amid strong winds near a fishing port. The flames quickly spread through tightly packed wooden homes and into a nearby forest, affecting about 4.9 hectares or 12 acres. At least 170 homes were damaged or destroyed, and about 260 houses were still without power by Wednesday afternoon.
More than 200 firefighters and dozens of fire engines were deployed, but their efforts were slowed by narrow backstreets that prevented engines from reaching some areas. Local reports said the aging neighborhood also contained abandoned houses, contributing to the rapid spread of the fire.
The Ground Self-Defense Force sent two UH-1 helicopters to help contain the blaze, which remained out of full control more than 24 hours after it started. Mayor Shinya Adachi said it may take several more days to extinguish the fire completely.
Residents described scenes of panic as the flames advanced. One woman told Kyodo News that she escaped with almost none of her belongings because the fire spread so quickly. Another resident recalled strong winds blowing in all directions as houses caught fire.
Television footage showed wide areas of charred homes and rising smoke, though no visible flames remained by midday Wednesday. The affected area is a traditional fishing community known for mackerel and is far from Oita’s well-known hot spring resorts and historic thatched houses.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire and how it spread. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi posted a message expressing sympathy and promising maximum government support for affected residents.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
