On the morning of the 2nd, a fire broke out in a church that doubled as a residence in Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and a total of 6 buildings, including the buildings on the premises and the surrounding private houses, were burnt down and one person was found dead.
After the fire, police and fire departments are confirming that they have lost contact with the elderly couple who live in the building that was the source of the fire.
After 10 am on the 2nd, a neighbor reported to the fire department that a building on the premises of the "Tenrikyo Honorary Tabun Church" in Baba-cho, Hitachiota City was on fire.
Five fire engines came out and the fire was extinguished about seven and a half hours later, but a total of six buildings, including a church that doubles as a two-story wooden house, church-related buildings, and surrounding houses, were completely destroyed. One person was found dead in the burnt remains of the house and church that was the source of the fire.
According to police, Kazu Kajiyama (91) and his wife live in this building, and they have lost contact after the fire.
Police and fire departments are rushing to identify the bodies, confirm their whereabouts, and investigate the cause of the fire.
The site is a residential area about 3 km north of JR Hitachiota Station.