TOKYO: One person died and over 170 buildings were damaged in a fire that engulfed a dense residential area in Japan's Oita city overnight, according to a statement made by the local authorities on Wednesday, the local media reported.
Firefighters have been make efforts to control the blaze for more than 12 hours after the fire in Saganoseki port district of Oita was reported to police on Tuesday. The authorities said that nearly 180 people were evacuated at one stage. Police confirmed the death of one person found at the site of fire on Wednesday and said that they are trying to identify the body whether he is a 76-year-old man who remains missing, Japan-based Kyodo News reported.
Oita prefectural government asked the Self-Defence Forces to respond to the fire, which consumed around 48, 900 square meters and engulfed forested area. Speaking to reporters, Oita Mayor Shinya Adachi said he did not expect the blaze to cause further damage.
Oita prefectural government's senior official Shogo Fujikawa said, "The smoke is decreasing and (we're moving) toward bringing the situation under control." However, he cautioned against making any assumptions.