At least 27 people feared dead in blaze in Japanese city of Osaka

At least 27 people were feared killed on Friday (December 17) when a fire broke out in a commercial building in a shopping district in the Japanese city of Osaka.

Police were investigating the cause of the fire on the fourth floor of the eight-storey building for suspected arson, Kyodo News reported, citing investigative sources. An official at the city’s fire department said 27 people were in cardiopulmonary arrest – a term used in Japan before a death is officially confirmed – and one person was injured.

The fire was reported shortly after the clinic opened for business at 10 a.m. (0100 GMT) and was mostly extinguished within 30 minutes, public NHK reported.

Other floors of the building, which is near the Osaka’s main station in the centre of the city, were occupied by a beauty salon, a clothes shop and an English-language school, NHK said.

The text, photographs, video, graphics, metadata, quotes, data, information, and all protectable intellectual property available through the this website is the property of Reuters and its licensors. It is provided by Reuters and its licensors to you for your personal use and information only. You may not use the Content or Service for any commercial purpose. You acknowledge that by accessing and using this the service, you agree to be legally bound by and hereby consent to these terms of use and the privacy policy.  Learn more in https://www.reutersagency.com/en/about/brand-attribution-guidelines/