Widespread Fire in Southwestern Japan Prompts Area Evacuation
A large fire near a fishing port in Oita city on Kyushu Island has destroyed or damaged more than 170 homes. A man in his seventies is reported missing. The blaze, fueled by strong winds, also spread to nearby forested areas.
Japanese television footage showed smoke over the area, but the fire appeared to have been contained.
A local resident told Kyodo News that they evacuated quickly without taking any belongings as the flames spread rapidly.
Over 200 firefighters and dozens of fire trucks where dispatched to tackle the blaze. Nearly 20 hours after it began, the fire remained uncontained. The Japan Ground Self-defense Force deployed two UH-1 helicopters to assist with firefighting efforts.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged maximum support for those affected in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
