Fire burning in southwestern Japan damages 170 homes and forces evacuations

Firefighters and military helicopters continued their battle against a devastating fire that has ravaged a historic fishing neighborhood in southwestern Japan, destroying more than 170 homes and claiming at least one life.

The blaze erupted Tuesday evening in the Saganoseki district of Oita City on Kyushu island, quickly spreading through densely packed wooden houses amid strong winds. By Wednesday afternoon, authorities confirmed one fatality—believed to be a previously missing man in his 70s—and reported one woman in her 50s suffered minor injuries.

More than 200 firefighters with dozens of engines have worked tirelessly to contain the flames, with support from two UH-1 helicopters dispatched by Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force. Despite these efforts, officials warned the fire might not be fully extinguished for several more days.

“The situation remains challenging,” Oita City Mayor Shinya Adachi told reporters after visiting the devastated neighborhood on Wednesday. The fire has already consumed approximately 4.9 hectares (12 acres) of residential and forested areas.

Local media reported that firefighting operations have been severely hampered by the neighborhood’s infrastructure. Many narrow backstreets proved too constricted for fire engines to navigate, allowing flames to spread more rapidly through the tightly packed community.

“The fire spread in the blink of an eye,” one resident told Kyodo News Agency, describing how she fled her home without being able to gather many possessions. The resident recounted how strong winds were “blowing in all directions,” accelerating the fire’s advancement through the vulnerable wooden structures.

The affected area is known for its traditional architecture and aging population, creating particular vulnerability to fire disasters. Kyodo News reported that abandoned homes in the rapidly aging and shrinking neighborhood contributed to the fire’s spread. Approximately 260 homes remained without electricity as of Wednesday afternoon.

Oita Prefecture, located on Kyushu’s northeastern coast, is primarily known for its mackerel fishing industry and hot spring resorts called onsen. While the fire struck a residential fishing community, officials confirmed that the prefecture’s popular tourist areas featuring historic thatched-roof homes remained unaffected.

The disaster prompted immediate response from Japan’s highest levels of government. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed sympathy for those affected in a statement posted on social media platform X, pledging that her administration would “provide maximum support” to recovery efforts.

More than 170 people have been evacuated from the area as authorities continue investigating the fire’s cause. Television footage on Wednesday showed smoke still rising from swaths of land filled with destroyed and damaged houses, though the visible flames had subsided by midday.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about fire safety in Japan’s older neighborhoods, where traditional wooden construction and narrow streets create heightened risk. Many historic districts throughout the country feature similar configurations, with densely packed wooden structures that can quickly become tinderboxes during fire emergencies.

Fire and disaster management officials are expected to conduct a thorough assessment of the damage once the blaze is fully extinguished, which could provide valuable insights for preventing similar disasters in other vulnerable communities across Japan.

Local and national emergency management teams remain mobilized as recovery operations begin for the affected residents, many of whom have lost their homes and belongings in this catastrophic fire.