Society

Fire Sweeps Through Kinosaki Onsen Inn, Guests Flee as Crews Struggle to Contain Blaze

HYOGO, May 06 (News On Japan) - A fire broke out before dawn at a ryokan in the Kinosaki Onsen hot spring district in Hyogo Prefecture, engulfing the building and spreading to nearby stores. While all guests were safely evacuated, a male employee was taken to hospital.

At around 2:50 a.m. on May 5th, firefighters received a call reporting visible flames at a two-story wooden ryokan located in Yushima, Kinosaki Town, Toyooka City.

According to the fire department, the blaze took around five and a half hours to extinguish. The inn was almost completely destroyed, and at least four neighboring buildings, including souvenir shops, were also damaged by the fire.

While the approximately 40 guests staying at the inn were safely evacuated, a male employee believed to be in his 70s was transported to hospital. He is conscious, according to officials.

The fire occurred in a densely packed area of ryokan inns within the Kinosaki Onsen hot spring town, which was crowded with visitors during the holiday season. The fire scene quickly became chaotic as guests fled.

One guest recalled the moment of evacuation, saying, "Almost all of my belongings were burned." Firefighting efforts were reportedly delayed because fire trucks could not easily access the narrow streets of the historic district.

Source: KTV NEWS

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