Overview
- An interim report released on December 25 by the Osaka City Fire Bureau links rapid fire spread to wall-mounted advertising signs that lacked legally required non‑combustible materials.
- The August 18 fire began near ground level, ignited an outdoor air‑conditioning unit, climbed multiple exterior signs, and led to a backdraft inside the adjacent building when a door was opened around 10:13 a.m.
- Two Naniwa Fire Station firefighters working on the sixth floor died of oxygen deprivation after their escape route was cut off and rescue was hindered by intense heat and smoke.
- The committee cites shortcomings in information sharing and coordination that contributed to a roughly two‑hour delay in rescue efforts.
- City combustion tests indicated non‑compliant signs promote fire spread, and officials flagged enforcement gaps under rules requiring non‑combustible materials for signs over 3 meters and documentation for those over 4 meters, prompting new compliance checks at three‑year renewals.