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Saganoseki Fire Engulfs About 20 Buildings in Oita as 112 Evacuate

Officials say strong winds likely propelled embers, accelerating the blaze through the hillside neighborhood.

Overview

  • Emergency services received the first report around 5:45 p.m. local time of a house fire in a residential area near Saganoseki Fishing Port.
  • City officials said roughly 20 structures were burning by about 9:30 p.m., and approximately 112 residents had taken shelter at the Saganoseki community center.
  • Fire authorities deployed 17 vehicles for active suppression and continued checking for injuries or anyone unaccounted for.
  • Oita City established a disaster coordination room at 8 p.m. and dispatched staff to manage the evacuation site and guide residents.
  • Reporters and eyewitnesses observed flames reaching nearby vegetation, with older wooden houses and sloped terrain cited as conditions that enabled rapid spread.