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Historic Okinawa castle gutted as predawn blaze rages

Shuri Castle is engulfed in flames in Naha, Okinawa prefecture, southern Japan on early October 31, 2019. (AFP)
Shuri Castle is engulfed in flames in Naha, Okinawa prefecture, southern Japan on early October 31, 2019. (AFP)
31 Oct 2019 02:10:37 GMT9
31 Oct 2019 02:10:37 GMT9

Naha, Japan

The main buildings of a historic Okinawa castle listed as a World Heritage site were burned to the ground in a predawn fire Thursday, with firefighters battling to control the blaze which has also engulfed other wooden buildings in the complex, police said.

The fire started just before 2:40 a.m. at Shuri Castle, one of Okinawa's major tourist spots, in the southern prefectural capital of Naha. There were no immediate reports of injuries, but more than 30 residents nearby were temporarily evacuated, local authorities said.

The ancient castle dates from, and represents, the Ryukyu Kingdom, which spanned 450 years until Okinawa was integrated into Japan in 1879. Although the castle was left in ruins in the wake of fierce World War II ground battles with U.S. forces in 1945, it was restored and opened as a national park in 1992.

Six castle buildings occupying some 4,200 square meters in total were gutted. The local fire department suspects the blaze began in the Seiden main hall, but is still investigating the cause. More than 10 fire engines have been dispatched to contain the blaze.

Security guards near the castle were alerted after a fire alarm went off, and they saw smoke billowing from the main hall, police said. In addition to the main hall, the “Hokuden” north hall and “Nanden” south hall were completely destroyed.

A festival recreating scenes from the kingdom's rituals had been held on the site since Sunday, and staff were preparing for related events until late Wednesday night. None of them were believed to be present when the fire broke out, according to police.

 Naha Mayor Mikiko Shiroma told a press conference that she was “extremely sorry” and “shocked” to hear the news. The castle was registered as Japan's 11th World Heritage site in 2000, along with other castle ruins and ancient monuments in the island prefecture, according to the park operator.

During the July 2000 summit of the Group of Eight major powers in Okinawa, leaders had dinner in the north hall.

Kyodo

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