Dozens of people were evacuated and 170 homes caught fire

Big fire The fire destroyed more than 170 homes It was recorded on Tuesday night in a residential area in Southwest Japan. At least one person was missing and dozens were evacuated.

Firefighters from Oita CityOn the southern island of Kyushu, it received an emergency call around 5:45 p.m. Local time on Tuesday (8:45 GMT) from a resident of the area Saganosekiwarning of a fire in the house.

This Wednesday morning, They are still trying to control and extinguish the fire. The fire spread quickly, destroying a central residential area and burning forests surrounding the area, which is located near the fishing port of Saganoseki.

The incident according to official sources. More than 170 buildings were affectedIncluding homes and authorities They were unable to contact the 76-year-old man A resident of the area, according to the latest official tally compiled by the Public Broadcasting Corporation NHK.

Local media reported that a person was found among the rubble, although they were unable to determine his gender or identity.

The fire was forced At least 175 people evacuated On Tuesday night, he went to a community center, according to information provided by the same source.

The fact that worries local authorities is that more than 12 hours after it was announced, there is still no indication when it might become extinct.

The authorities of Oita Prefecture, where the affected city is located, set up an information liaison office to collect information, and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Interior and Communications sent personnel to the area.

In addition, in response to a request from the governor for disaster relief, the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces used Self-Defense Forces helicopters to collect information and conduct aerial firefighting activities, it was officially announced.

Yuichi Kubo, a 77-year-old resident, did not hide his shock at the size of the fire. “I didn’t think the fire would reach the mountain that is in the distance“, in statements reported by Kyodo News.

The same Japanese media also reported on a woman in her sixties who took refuge in a municipal evacuation center. In particular, he said that he fled quickly, with almost no belongings, because the fire “spread in the blink of an eye.”

With information from agencies.