A large fire that broke out on the evening of 18 November in the Saganoseki area of Oita City destroyed more than 170 structures in a densely built residential district between the sea and steep hillsides. Residents reported flames approaching within tens of metres and embers driven by strong winds, prompting hurried evacuations. Narrow roads and a strong wind advisory, which had already kept local fishing boats in port, reportedly hampered firefighting efforts and allowed the blaze to spread rapidly from houses to nearby slopes. Volunteer firefighters said they shifted early from fire suppression to rescuing residents, many of them elderly, and assisted 20–30 people to evacuate. The city set up evacuation centres for those unable to return home, while authorities continued damage assessment and investigations into the cause. Source: OAB / OBS
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