OSAKA–Two buildings destroyed in a deadly fire in the downtown Dotonbori district here, which killed two firefighters, had been cited for several fire code violations that had not been fully corrected, officials confirmed.
During a routine inspection in June 2023, municipal fire officials identified six violations of fire safety laws including the lack of proper signage for emergency exit doors.
Although officials ordered improvements, four of the six violations remained unaddressed.
The fire broke out on the morning of Aug. 18 in two multi-tenant buildings located in the bustling Soemoncho area of the city’s Chuo Ward.
The blaze spread across approximately 100 square meters, affecting the interconnected five- and seven-story tall buildings. The fire took nine hours to extinguish.
During firefighting efforts, part of the structure between the fifth and sixth floors collapsed, trapping firefighters Takashi Mori, 55, and Mitsunari Nagatomo, 22.
Both were transported to the hospital but were pronounced dead. Four additional firefighters and a woman in her 20s were also hospitalized with injuries.
Fire investigators are at the scene trying to determine the cause of the blaze.
(This article was written by Tomoki Miyasaka and Ko Sendo.)
AloJapan.com