Residents returned to the Saganoseki district on Saturday to inspect the Oita fire aftermath. The visit marked the first chance for locals to check their homes since the massive fire began earlier this week. Authorities controlled access to the area, allowing only 76 people inside due to heavy damage and safety risks.
The fire left vivid destruction, exposing steel frames and staining building exteriors with soot. An 83-year-old resident discovered a bent reinforced concrete beam in her 50-year-old house. She described her shock and uncertainty, fearing what comes next amid the devastation.
The Oita municipal government arranged the visit so residents could witness the damage firsthand. Police officers escorted residents wearing helmets and masks to ensure safety while they toured the affected streets. Officials confirmed that the residential area on the Saganoseki Peninsula remained under control, with no further risk of fire spreading.
The fire destroyed approximately 170 houses and consumed 48,900 square meters of residential and forested land. Kyushu Electric Power Co.’s Oita branch restored power by 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, except in burned zones. The city also reinstated water services by the end of Saturday. Officials said strong winds fueled the rapid spread of the flames.
The Oita prefectural government is coordinating with the central government to provide disaster relief grants for residents whose homes suffered damage. The program aims to help families rebuild their lives after the fire.
Meanwhile, two influenza cases appeared at the Saganoseki community center, which shelters evacuees. Both patients, men in their 70s, tested positive after developing fevers on Friday. Doctors admitted one patient to the hospital and kept the other in a private room at the center. Medical teams continue morning and afternoon rounds to monitor 108 evacuees from 69 households.
Evacuees expressed concern about catching the flu because fatigue from displacement weakens their resistance. Authorities distributed Tamiflu to residents who requested it and advised hygiene measures like handwashing. They stressed the importance of following health protocols while managing the Oita fire aftermath.
Residents and officials face a long recovery, balancing reconstruction with public health measures in the wake of the disaster.
