A massive fire tore through a residential district in Oita, southern Japan, leaving one person missing and forcing the urgent evacuation of 175 residents, according to local authorities. The blaze, which began late yesterday, quickly escalated as strong winds drove flames from homes toward a nearby forested mountain, turning the night sky a deep, alarming red.
Firefighters battled the inferno through the night, struggling to contain the flames as they swept across densely built neighbourhoods. Public broadcaster NHK reported intense scenes of firefighters directing powerful water streams at walls of fire, while residents hurried to temporary evacuation centres carrying only essential items.
Witnesses described a terrifying, fast-moving blaze.
One resident recounted watching the flames climb higher than the rooftops:
“The flames rose high, turning the sky red. The wind was strong. I never thought it would spread so much.”
Another resident shared how the fire reached the mountain behind their home:
“The mountain was burning. I only had time to grab my driver’s license and smartphone.”
Local authorities confirmed that 115 households, totaling 175 people, were ordered to leave their homes. At least 170 buildings have been impacted. The governor of Oita Prefecture has already reached out to Japan’s Self-Defense Forces for potential emergency assistance as conditions remain unstable.
The fire also triggered a power blackout affecting around 300 houses in parts of the city. As of this report, one individual is still unaccounted for, heightening concern as rescue teams continue their search through dangerous conditions.
Authorities warn that with wind patterns shifting, further evacuations may be necessary. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
