2-1-2024 (TOKYO) More than 14 hours have passed since a devastating fire broke out in Kawai-cho, located in the center of Wajima City on the 1st, following a magnitude 6 tremor on the seismic intensity scale. The fire, which started near the popular tourist spot Asaichi Dori, has consumed over 100 buildings, including shops and residences.
【能登半島で震度7 19時の被害状況】
ーー大津波警報は現在も発令中ーー
・火災 : 輪島市河井町で大規模火災
・電力 : 約 31,800 戸で停電
・鉄道 : 上越,北陸新幹線が運転見合わせ
・揺れ : 7が1回 5強が3回 5弱が4回
・道路 : 北陸道など通行止め#緊急地震速報 #断水pic.twitter.com/Mw6JvqyaXl— 事件速報 (@tokyoaccident) January 1, 2024
The fire department is tirelessly working to extinguish the flames, while also assessing the extent of the damage to human life. Currently, efforts to combat the fire are still underway.
Aerial footage captured by an NHK helicopter around 6:50 a.m. reveals multiple locations engulfed in flames and billows of white smoke rising over a wide area. The surrounding buildings have turned black from the scorching heat, and some structures have been reduced to ashes. Additionally, a seven-story building can be seen leaning sideways, with the name “Gotoya” visible on its side.
The fire department has received information that the long-established Wajima lacquerware company building in Kawaicho, Wajima City, has collapsed, and investigations into the incident are currently underway. At approximately 8:20 a.m., several firefighters equipped with electric saws entered the crushed building in Wajima City to assess the situation.
Inside the collapsed structure, a chaotic scene of debris, including wood and other materials, greeted the firefighters. Onlookers, believed to be residents, stood outside the building, observing the ongoing operations.
