Fire destroys 170 buildings in southern Japan, 1 missing

A massive fire has destroyed more than 170 buildings in the Saganoseki area of ​​the coastal city of Oita in southern Japan. The National Fire and Disaster Management Agency said on Wednesday (November 19) that the fire that broke out on Tuesday evening burned through the night and was still not fully under control.
Reuters also reported that 175 residents had been evacuated after the fire broke out. The city is located about 770 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. The agency said one person was still missing and the cause of the fire was under investigation. Video published by local media showed houses destroyed and covered in smoke. The city is located next to a seaport known for its high-quality Seki mackerel.
Local media reported that the fire had spread to nearby forests. Japanese Prime Minister Sane Takaichi said that a military firefighting helicopter had been dispatched at the request of the governor of Oita Prefecture.