A massive fire has ripped through a residential area in Oita, southern Japan, prompting the evacuation of approximately 175 people and leaving one individual unaccounted for, according to local authorities. The blaze, which began on Tuesday evening, has caused significant destruction and continues to burn out of control.
Rapid Spread and Terrifying Scenes
The fire started around 5:45 PM on Tuesday when emergency services received a call from a resident in the Saganoseki area of Oita City. Within hours, the flames grew into an uncontrollable inferno that has persisted for more than 12 hours.
Eyewitnesses described terrifying scenes as the fire rapidly consumed homes and spread toward nearby forested mountains. "The flames rose high, turning the sky red. The wind was strong. I never thought it would spread so much," one local resident told NHK broadcaster.
Another witness recounted the urgency of the situation: "The mountain was burning, the one behind. I brought with me my driver's license and smartphone." Television footage showed firefighters desperately battling what reporters described as "ferocious flames" while white smoke billowed into the sky.
Immediate Consequences and Response
The Oita prefectural government confirmed that 115 households comprising approximately 175 people have been evacuated to temporary shelters. The fire has affected at least 170 buildings in the region, with 300 houses experiencing power outages as a result of the disaster.
Local authorities have taken significant steps to manage the crisis, including implementing the disaster relief law for Oita City. This measure enables both the central government and prefecture to cover all necessary expenses, including costs associated with maintaining evacuation shelters.
The fire has proven particularly challenging due to its location in a residential area surrounded by mountains approximately 25 kilometers east of Oita city center, near the Saganoseki fishing port. The mountainous terrain and strong winds have contributed to the fire's rapid spread into forested areas.
Ongoing Efforts and Future Measures
Firefighting crews continue to battle the blaze as it spreads to nearby wooded mountains. The prefecture's governor has engaged in discussions with military officials about potential support for controlling the situation, indicating the seriousness of the ongoing emergency.
As the situation develops, authorities remain focused on containing the fire, accounting for all residents, and providing necessary support to those displaced by the disaster. The implementation of disaster relief laws ensures that financial resources will be available for recovery efforts in the affected communities.
