OITA, Nov 21 (News On Japan) - A large-scale fire in Oita City’s Saganoseki district entered its third day on November 20th, and although authorities declared the blaze “brought under control” late in the morning, firefighters continued battling smoldering hotspots across the affected area as a full extinguishment remained out of reach.
With more than 170 homes and buildings destroyed, the cordoned-off zone will not be lifted for some time, leaving evacuees unable to return.
City officials announced that except for a small uninhabited island where flying embers had sparked fires, the main residential area was deemed under control as of 11 a.m. on November 20th. Even so, for those staying in evacuation shelters, daily realities have not changed.
One evacuee said they had nowhere to go despite hearing the term “brought under control” and therefore had no choice but to remain at the shelter, while another said the announcement offered some relief because many acquaintances lived in the area and they feared further spread.
By November 20th, the prefecture had delivered 150 cardboard beds from its emergency stockpile to the local shelter, where 108 people from 70 households were staying. Support efforts have continued to expand, including free bathing services offered by local hot springs and care facilities, with bathing tickets distributed at the shelter.
One evacuee who received a ticket said they planned to go around 5 or 6 p.m. once things had settled a bit, adding that they still did not know where they would live next and were grateful for the assistance after being unable to bathe for days.
Concerns among evacuees center on the condition of their homes. One woman, who entered the restricted zone with police investigators, described seeing parts of her kitchen wall intact and the boiler pipes still in place, while structures such as the doghouse, block wall, and lower sections of the property remained, even though the upper mesh and fencing had been lost.
Amid the devastation, one family experienced an unexpected reunion. A volunteer firefighter arrived at the shelter carrying a dog found wandering inside the restricted area. As soon as the dog appeared, its owner, Watanabe, ran toward it, relieved to find her pet “Mino” alive. The firefighter explained that Mino had been circling around the entrance of the house, and when called, immediately approached and allowed himself to be carried out.
On the day of the fire, Watanabe had taken Mino while evacuating to her husband’s family home, believing it would be safe. However, that home also came under threat from the flames, and in the rush to evacuate again, animals could not be taken, leaving Mino behind. The dog later escaped the fire and was discovered by firefighters.
“I’m grateful for everything they did. I feel relieved,” Watanabe said after reuniting with her pet.
Although the blaze in the densely packed residential area has been declared “under control,” officials caution that complete extinguishment remains some way off, and access restrictions around the site will continue for the time being.
Source: TBS
