170 homes damaged by Japan fire that spread 'in the blink of an eye'

Tokyo: Firefighters were battling an out-of-control fire Wednesday morning that has burned through a neighbourhood in southwestern Japan and forced more than 170 people to evacuate.

At least 170 homes have been damaged and a man in his 70s was unaccounted for, Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said.

The fire started during strong winds Tuesday evening near a fishing port in the city of Oita and spread to a forest. Oita is on the southern island of Kyushu.

One resident told Kyodo News Agency she quickly fled without many of her belongings because the fire “spread in the blink of an eye.”

Man missing

National broadcaster NHK reported that prefectural officials have confirmed a man in his 70s remains unaccounted for following a massive fire in Saganoseki, Oita City.

Firefighters received an emergency call from a local resident around 5:45 pm Tuesday.

The blaze has spread rapidly, engulfing a residential neighborhood and nearby forested areas, and remains uncontrolled more than 12 hours after the initial call.

As of 11:40 pm Tuesday, the prefecture said 175 people from 115 households had sought refuge at a community hall nearby.

In response, prefectural authorities have invoked the disaster relief law for Oita City, enabling the central government and local officials to cover necessary expenses, including shelter maintenance. A task force has been formed, with a meeting scheduled Wednesday morning to determine next steps.

The affected residential area lies approximately 25 kilometers east of the city center, nestled among mountains near the Saganoseki fishing port. The fire's ongoing spread is exacerbated by strong winds and the area's dense housing, complicating containment efforts and evacuation.