A devastating fire swept through Oita City’s Saganoseki district in southern Japan on Wednesday, destroying over 170 buildings and claiming one life. Emergency services, including military and firefighting helicopters, battled the flames that spread across residential areas, nearby forests, and even an uninhabited island offshore.
The fire began Tuesday evening and engulfed roughly 48,900 square meters—equivalent to seven soccer fields—forcing 175 residents to evacuate to emergency shelters. One fatality has been confirmed, while a woman in her 50s sustained minor burns and was hospitalized.
Strong winds exacerbated the blaze, which also caused power outages for around 300 homes, Kyushu Electric Power reported. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed her condolences, promising maximum government support in coordination with local authorities. This incident marks the largest urban fire in Japan since 1976, excluding earthquake-related fires.
#JapanFire #OitaCity #UrbanFire #DisasterNews #FireSafety #EmergencyResponse
