Japan’s largest urban fire in decades rips through 170 buildings

A massive fire in Oita, Japan, has ravaged over 170 buildings and claimed at least one life, marking the largest urban blaze the country has seen in decades. The inferno erupted late on Tuesday in the Saganoseki district of Oita city, located on the southern island of Kyushu, and quickly tore through densely packed residential areas. Eyewitnesses described terrifying scenes, with one resident telling NHK, ‘The flames rose high, turning the sky red. The wind was strong. I never thought it would spread so much.’ Another said, ‘I was shaking with fear. I’ve never seen a pillar of fire like that,’ capturing the shock and scale of the disaster. Authorities confirmed one fatality, with police discovering the body of a 76-year-old man during a search for missing individuals. In total, 188 people were evacuated from their homes and taken to makeshift shelters, as the fire forced rapid departures in the cold night. The regional government issued statements detailing the damage, which included at least 170 structures consumed by the flames. Firefighting efforts involved ground crews and aerial support, with military and firefighting helicopters deployed to douse the blaze from above. The fire had burned approximately 48,900 square meters—an area comparable to seven soccer fields—by Wednesday, and it continued to spread into nearby forested mountains. Footage from the scene showed firefighters courageously hosing down ferocious flames as they engulfed houses, highlighting the challenging conditions. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with no immediate confirmation from officials. However, NHK reported that the rapid spread was likely due to a combination of little rainfall, dry air, and the prevalence of congested wooden houses in the area. These factors created a tinderbox environment that allowed the fire to escalate quickly. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi responded to the tragedy, posting on X, ‘I extend my heartfelt condolences to all residents who are evacuating in the cold. The government will provide the maximum possible support in collaboration with local authorities.’ Oita Mayor Shinya Adachi, who visited the site, indicated that while the situation might be brought under control by Wednesday if the source is extinguished, it would likely take several more days for the fire to be fully put out. This event is now considered the largest urban fire in Japan since a 1976 blaze in Sakata, excluding incidents triggered by earthquakes. The scale underscores historical vulnerabilities in urban fire management, particularly in older districts with wooden constructions. Experts may review safety protocols to prevent similar disasters in the future. In the aftermath, recovery operations will focus on assessing the full extent of the damage, supporting displaced residents, and investigating the fire’s origins. The incident has drawn national attention, prompting discussions on improving fire resilience in Japan’s urban landscapes.