A fire broke out at a ship-dismantling site in Kure City on Thursday, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of local residents [1].
The incident highlights the high risks associated with industrial ship-breaking operations, where the presence of volatile materials can quickly turn a localized fire into a public safety crisis.
The blaze began around 12:50 p.m. at the Nakamoto Shipbuilding facility in Oto-cho, Hiroshima Prefecture [1, 2]. Emergency services received reports of large plumes of black smoke shortly after the fire ignited [2]. The fire consumed scrap ships and industrial materials before spreading to a vessel moored at the site [1].
Kure city officials, police, and the fire department issued evacuation orders for 356 households [2]. This directive resulted in the evacuation of approximately 650 people from the surrounding area [2].
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing an explosion during the fire. One nearby witness suggested that oxygen cylinders used for construction work may have been the cause of the blast [1].
"Oxygen cylinders used in construction may have exploded," the witness said [1].
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the ignition. Fire crews worked to contain the flames and prevent further spread to adjacent properties or vessels. The investigation into the origin of the fire and the validity of the explosion reports continues.
“Oxygen cylinders used in construction may have exploded”
This incident underscores the inherent dangers of ship-breaking yards, where the combination of flammable scrap and pressurized gas cylinders creates a volatile environment. The scale of the evacuation suggests that local authorities viewed the risk of secondary explosions as a significant threat to the residential perimeter of Oto-cho.
