Japan Fire: A fire engulfed a residential area in the southwestern Japanese city of Oita on Tuesday. International reports suggest that more than 170 people have been evacuated from the building where one is reportedly missing, according to police and other local authorities.
What exactly happened?
The fire began in a crowded residential area northeast of the Saganoseki fishing port, and authorities said that at least 20 buildings were burning. A Kyodo News reporter also saw the flames spreading into nearby forest land. The emergency call about the fire was made around 5:45 p.m., and officials said a man in his 70s is still missing. Earlier in the afternoon, the weather agency had issued a strong wind advisory for the waters near the area.
Massive fire caught on cam
Large-scale fire broke out in Saganoseki, Oita City, Japan 🇯🇵
---Advertisement---Where more than 20 buildings, including houses, are burning.pic.twitter.com/lXxqU8ikQv
— Disaster News (@Top_Disaster) November 18, 2025
Evacuation Process
Japan Fire: Various news reports suggest that 170 people from 115 households had evacuated to a nearby community hall. Prefectural authorities have enacted the disaster relief law, enabling the national and prefectural governments to cover essential costs, including shelter operations.
The affected residential district lies about 25 kilometres east of Oita’s city centre, near the Saganoseki fishing port and is surrounded by mountains that have complicated firefighting efforts.
