Japan sends troops to fight massive fire
Flames and smoke rise during a blaze that engulfed multiple houses and buildings at Itoigawa city, Niigata prefecture in Japan yesterday. The rapidly-spreading fire engulfed more than 100 buildings and sparked evacuations in the northern Japanese city, leaving two injured and forcing authorities to mobilise troops. Photo: AFP
Japan drafted in troops yesterday to help contain a rapidly spreading fire, fanned by strong winds, which engulfed dozens of buildings and forced the evacuation of hundreds of people from a northern city.
Aerial footage broadcast live on Japanese TV showed massive orange flames and thick smoke spewing out of buildings in the city of Itoigawa in Niigata prefecture.
Troops were on their way to the coastal city after Niigata Governor Ryuichi Yoneyam requested military aid, an official in the fire division of the prefectural government said.
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