Over 170 homes damaged in Oita blaze

Firefighters and army helicopters have battled a large blaze in the coastal city of Oita in southwestern Japan, where flames tore through a densely built neighbourhood. Authorities say at least one person has died, another has been injured and more than 170 homes have been damaged or destroyed. The fire began on Tuesday night and burned for many hours, fanned by winds and the tightly packed wooden structures typical of older districts. Residents described grabbing children and elderly relatives before fleeing through narrow streets lit only by the orange glow of burning houses.

Local disaster teams evacuated more than 170 people to shelters as firefighters struggled to bring the blaze under control. Photos from the scene show rows of blackened foundations, twisted metal and smoke rising over the coastal skyline. Helicopters dropped water from above while crews on the ground fought to keep the flames from jumping across streets. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but early reports suggest it may have started in a residential building before spreading quickly.

Urban risk in an era of extreme events

Japan is no stranger to urban fires, earthquakes and typhoons, and the Oita blaze will likely reignite debates about building codes in older districts. Many such neighbourhoods combine wooden houses, narrow alleys and overhead power lines, creating conditions where even a small spark can spread rapidly. As weather patterns shift and heatwaves lengthen dry seasons, authorities worldwide are reassessing fire risk in coastal and riverine cities. For planners in South and Southeast Asia—where informal settlements and crowded older quarters sit close to industry and ports—the images from Oita will feel uncomfortably familiar.

Disaster experts point out that evacuation drills, early warning systems and clear escape routes can save lives even when infrastructure is old. Japan’s experience—from Kobe to Fukushima and now Oita—is often studied in the region for lessons on coordination between local authorities, central government and volunteer groups. For Bangladesh and other Bay of Bengal countries facing cyclones, flooding and fire hazards, the incident is another reminder that resilience is not only about embankments and shelters, but also about safe housing design and community-level preparedness.