The scene of a fire burning fiercely

 At around 12:10 a.m. on the 22nd, a fire broke out at Shimasaki Sawmill in Awara City, Fukui Prefecture. The two‑story wooden office and workshop, as well as a single‑story warehouse, were completely destroyed. The flames spread to five adjacent houses and shops, all of which also burned down. No injuries were reported.

According to the Awara Police Station, the workshop was unoccupied at the time of the fire. Large amounts of lumber stored on the premises fueled the blaze, which took about 10 hours to extinguish. Authorities are investigating the cause.

The site is located in a residential area about 700 meters northeast of Echizen Railway Awara‑Yunomachi Station. A total of 36 fire engines were dispatched, and the area was temporarily thrown into chaos.

A 91‑year‑old woman living nearby said, “I heard noise outside and went to look. The fire was enormous and frightening. I was worried it might spread to our home.”