Settlement Fires In Japan: 170 Refugees, 70 Years Old Missing

The fire engulfed settlements in southwest Japan forcing 170 people to flee and a 70-year-old (elderly) missing.

Citing AFP, Thursday, November 19, firefighters (damkar) and military helicopters are still struggling to extinguish the red rooster on Wednesday, November 19 local time.

The fire started when strong winds hit Tuesday, November 19 night near a fishing port in the city of Oita and spread into the forest. Oita is located on the southern main island of Kyushu.

Japanese television broadcasts to the middle of the day showed smoke still billowing from plots of soil filled with burning and damaged houses, although orange flames were no longer visible.

To Kyodo News Agency, a resident admitted to running away after learning that the fire was spreading in the eye.

Dozens of fire engines and more than 200 firefighters were deployed to extinguish the fire, which was still not fully under control nearly 20 hours after it started.

Military forces sent two UH1 military helicopters to join the fire fighting effort.