Blaze destroys Japan’s heritage castle
– A major fire devastated a historic Japanese castle on the southern island of Okinawa yesterday, destroying large parts of the World Heritage site’s complex, local authorities said.
The Shuri castle is a key part of a complex dating back to the Ryukyu Kingdom, and is believed to have been in use from the 1400s. Most of the current structures are reconstructions based on original plans and photos of the old castle.
The fire was brought under control by early afternoon, a local fire department spokesperson said, adding that the blaze had consumed more than 4 800m2 of the castle complex.
“All three main buildings have burnt down, with nothing left behind,” Daisuke Furugen, another official with the Naha fire department, said.
A local fireman at the scene said the blaze had proved extremely difficult to control.
“The radiant heat was very strong. Firefighters had serious difficulty approaching it,” he said.
It was not yet clear what caused the blaze, which was reported to authorities around 2.40am.
There were no reports of injuries.
The fire started in the elaborate main building of the complex, a grand red structure with traditional tiling on the roof, and spread quickly to nearby buildings.
Television footage showed large flames engulfing the castle before sunrise, with daylight revealing the extensive damage. In some cases little more than charred wood was left behind.
“I am extremely saddened by this. I am utterly in shock,” Naha mayor Mikiko Shiroma said. “We have lost our symbol.”