Arab News Japan

Customers at popular ramen restaurant Ramen Jiro continued to dine on Tuesday while a fire broke out because they “received no instructions from the staff” to evacuate.

A video taken by one of the diners showed flames reached up to the ceiling.

One customer explained that despite the fire and smoke, “staff kept operating normally. There were about 15 customers, and everyone stayed seated.”

The staff only gave instructions to customers once the flames grew larger. No injuries were reported from the fire, and the Metropolitan Police Department said it was caused by an oil ignition.

Ramen Jiro is popular and well-known for its constant queues and its delicious ramen. One male customer was visiting the restaurant from Nagano Prefecture but was not able to eat due to the fire that broke out.

“I was really looking forward to it. I was so close,” he said, disappointed.