Overnight inferno destroys over 170 buildings
By Reuters, November 19, 2025A fire has ripped through more than 170 buildings in a southern Japanese coastal city, burning overnight and still not fully extinguished, the national fire agency said on Wednesday.
Around 175 residents of the Saganoseki district of Oita City, located about 770 kilometres southwest of Tokyo, fled to an emergency shelter after the blaze erupted at approximately 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
Officials said strong winds and the tightly packed wooden structures in the fishing town contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
One person remained missing as firefighters worked through the night to bring the blaze under control. Authorities said they were still assessing the extent of the damage and conducting checks in buildings that had cooled enough for search teams to enter safely.
Aerial footage from local broadcasters showed long stretches of homes and businesses severely damaged, some reduced to charred frames with roofs completely collapsed.
Thick smoke drifted across the hillside community, and local media reported that the flames had also advanced into nearby forested slopes, further complicating the firefighting operation.
Saganoseki is widely known for its harbour and its prized Seki-brand mackerel, a key economic lifeline for the town. Officials said it was still too early to determine the impact of the fire on local fisheries, shops and storage facilities that support the trade.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated on X that a military firefighting helicopter had been deployed at the request of Oita Prefecture Governor to assist ground crews battling hotspots in areas inaccessible by road.
Investigators are still working to identify the cause of the blaze, but early reports indicate no immediate signs of foul play.
Emergency teams have urged residents to stay away from the affected zone until weakened structures and lingering smoke are cleared.