Fire in Japan destroys 170 homes and forces evacuations; 1 person died

Large fire in Japan A large fire hits properties in the city of Oita, Japan, this Wednesday (19). One person died, another was injured and more than 170 residents were forced to evacuate. A man, approximately 70 years old, was missing. Firefighters later found a body, possibly his. A woman in her 50s suffered minor injuries, the Oita prefectural disaster response team said. ✅ Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp Firefighters and army helicopters worked to fight the fire. At least 170 homes were damaged or burned down, the team said. Dozens of fire engines and more than 200 agents were mobilized to fight the fire, which was still not fully under control almost 20 hours after it started. Residents watch as flames rise at the site of a fire in Oita, southern Japan Kyodo News/AP The fire started on Tuesday night (18), during strong winds, near a fishing port in the city of Oita, on the main island of Kyushu, in the south of the country. The flames spread to a forest, affecting about 4.9 hectares, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire and how it spread. Japanese television footage showed smoke rising from large areas of destroyed and damaged homes, although the orange flames were no longer visible by midday. Oita prefecture reported that around 260 homes remained without power as of Wednesday afternoon. One resident told Kyodo news agency that she quickly fled, taking many of her belongings with her, because the fire “spread in the blink of an eye.” Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi published a statement on social media site X offering condolences to those affected by the fire and promising to “provide maximum support.” The image shows the consequences of a fire in Oita, southern Japan Takumi Sato/Kyodo News via AP

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