A massive fire erupted in a commercial building near the famous Tsutenkaku Tower, a popular tourist landmark in Osaka in western Japan, according to media reports on Tuesday.
The fire erupted on the first floor of the five-story building at Tsutenkaku Hondori Shopping Street in Naniwa Ward, Osaka City at about 5pm local time, according to public broadcaster NHK Japan.
At least 26 fire trucks and one helicopter were dispatched to the site to contain the flames emerging from the building.
Live visuals on TV showed dark smoke towers rising from the commercial property near the Tsutenkaku Tower.
It was unclear if there were any casualties.
Tsutenkaku Tower, a historic Osaka landmark in the Shinsekai district, was inspired by the Eiffel Tower and rebuilt in 1956 after wartime damage. Standing 103m-tall, it offers panoramic views of the city and is popular with tourists.
新世界本通り火事
— etenoir (@etenoirtaku) January 21, 2025
通天閣すぐです
火の用心🔥 pic.twitter.com/uoGEEiimg6
通天閣と火事の煙、、すごい時にきてしまった、、 pic.twitter.com/ecMjuWVZYX
— キツネツキ🦊kitsunetsuki.jp (@AzureFox13) January 21, 2025
Fire breaks out on first floor of a five-story building in the Tsutenkaku Hondori Shopping Street in Naniwa Ward, Osaka City, Japan shortly before 5 p.m. on the 21st.
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) January 21, 2025
26 fire trucks and one helicopter are engaged in firefighting efforts. - Sputnik
pic.twitter.com/8r1xnjJnPZ
Tuesday’s fire comes just days after bullet train services between Tokyo and Osaka were temporarily halted after a fire broke out near a track in central Japan, according to JR Central.
In 2021, at least 27 people died after a fire broke out in a building located in a busy commercial and entertainment district in Osaka.
In 2008, a fire at an adult video theatre in downtown Osaka killed 15 men and injured 10 others. Reuters reported at the time that about 120 firefighters extinguished the blaze, which broke out on the first floor of the seven-story building.
