Seven members of a three-generation family perished in a fire that destroyed their house in Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, on Friday night.
According to police and firefighters, flames were seen coming out of house at around 9 p.m., Fuji TV reported. The fire, which was eventually extinguished at around 1 a.m. Saturday, destroyed the farm house of Yoshizo Ito, 78, and two other buildings on the property.
Police said the remains of seven people were found in the ruins. The victims are believed to be Ito, his wife, 80, their 41-year-old son, his 27-year-old wife and their three daughters aged 6, 5 and 3.
Firefighters started sifting through the ruins of the house at around 9 a.m. to try and determine the cause of the fire.
© Japan Today
10 Comments
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erbaviva
hmmm, something very fishy
Monozuki
Um. Seven members perished. A mysterious fire, suggesting the possibility of some hideous events behind the scenes.
Apolitical
Terrible tragedy. I remember when in 2011 two people died in a garden arbor close to my house - I could see the fire through the window. Hope that fire in Akita wasn't intentional. Wonder how it all happened - I must say it's a common misconception to think that during fire people die from being set ablaze - but death can also occur from simply choking on the smoke created by fire, or being hit by a heavy object. It's especially dangerous in old buildings which don't meet modern safety standards.
FightingViking
Rest in peace to (what seems to have been) a happy, united family.
Ali Khan
our deep condolences to the unfortunate family, it is terrible and painful while thinking about that hour when they remain stuck in the fire, especially the 3 children, utmost safety is required to avoid such sad tragedies.
Strategist
Please read.
My condolences goes out to those effected. In the UK london city borough. about 6 months ago firefighters visited local residents to warn about the dangers of fire, trailing wire underneath carpets etc can cause fire etc.
Apparently a new law was passed that states, every room in the building and corridors must have a smoke detector fitted. In the kitchen where we have a gass cooker and gass boiler, we had to install a carbon monoxide ("The silent killer") alarm as well.
The upfront cost was quite dear, (£ 280) on a few smoke alarms seems steep. These are kiddy brand alarms, they have 10 years life expectancy, no need to replace batteries; (a Japanese made non replaceable battery is prefitted that lasts 10 years). On the flip side £280 feels like nothing when you know that your family is safe from such tragedy. 10 years is a long time, 7 of them and you hit 70 retirement age.
I ask myself, what is the price of my family? The only answer I come to 'no matter how many times I ask myself' is, "they are priceless". My family means the world to me.
You can not put a price on something so valuable as life. I only ask all that read this message, please be sure to have smoke alarms fitted and be sure to test them. Carelessness causes fire.
Thank you for reading
sensei258
I wonder how the fire stated. Seems too late in the day for cooking, too warm to use a heater, and too early for somebody to have fallen asleep while smoking.
Yubaru
Tragic deaths, I wonder if they had smoke alarms (something I rarely see in older Japanese homes)
Why? No mention of the age of the house or the "two" other buildings which could be an outhouse for one for all we know. Poor wiring, overloaded electrical outlets, who knows, why assume foul play until there is more information.
Wc626
41yr old husband & 27yr old wife seem like they could've managed to escape. Unless they were incapacitated or handicapped. 9pm, too early.
sensei258
Makes me wonder...with so many people in the house, at a time when they were likely awake, why didn't somebody sound the alarm and at least some escape. I hope there was no foul play.