The blaze erupted in the Saganoseki area of Oita city, southern Japan, around 17:40 on 18/11. By 19/11, it remained uncontained, having destroyed over 170 homes and becoming Japan's most severe urban fire in nearly 50 years. Local officials confirmed one fatality, and a 76-year-old man remains unaccounted for. Approximately 175 residents from 115 households were evacuated to a community center, while around 300 homes in the area experienced power outages. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.
The fire also spread to an adjacent forest and a small uninhabited island, reportedly fueled by strong winds. Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency estimates the burned area at 48,900 square meters. Images from the scene showed many homes burned to their foundations, with thick smoke rising from the residential area on a hillside overlooking Saganoseki port. The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) deployed helicopters and personnel to assist in controlling the blaze.
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Japanese firefighters respond to the Oita city fire on the night of 18/11. Photo: AFP |
Japanese firefighters respond to the Oita city fire on the night of 18/11. Photo: AFP
Oita provincial authorities attributed the fire's rapid spread to the residential area's location in a hilly region, strong winds, its distance of approximately 25 kilometers from the city center, and its proximity to the Saganoseki fishing port. In response, the Oita government activated the Disaster Relief Law, which provides a legal framework for central and local governments to cover emergency relief expenses.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi extended condolences to residents evacuated in the cold weather. She pledged maximum government support and coordination with local authorities. A response steering committee was established to discuss next steps, as the risk of further spread remains high.
With the number of structures destroyed and the extensive burned area, this fire is Japan's largest urban blaze since the 1976 Sakata city fire, excluding earthquake-related disasters. The most recent major urban fire occurred in 2016 in Itoigawa, destroying 147 buildings but causing no casualties.
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The fire in Oita destroyed 170 homes, many of which were razed. Photo: AFP |
The fire in Oita destroyed 170 homes, many of which were razed. Photo: AFP
By Thanh Danh (According to FNN, NHK, Reuters)
