Kumamoto Earthquake Aftermath: Fire Breaks Out During Demolition at Japan Paper Yatsushiro Plant
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
A fire broke out during the demolition of a damaged chimney at the Japan Paper (日本製紙) Yatsushiro plant in Kumamoto Prefecture on September 3, 2026, around 6 PM local time. The blaze originated during dismantling work on a 110-meter chimney that had suffered damage in the July 2026 earthquake. Flames erupted from the half-destroyed structure and spread to a nearby transmission tower, with videos capturing smoke rising dramatically and explosion-like sounds . Ten workers involved in the demolition were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported. Firefighting efforts continued until after 9 PM, with two ladder trucks and twelve fire trucks deployed to the scene . Japan Paper issued an apology for the smoke and noise affecting nearby residents . This incident occurred at a factory where an 80-meter chimney collapsed during the July earthquake, killing nine people in the deadliest single accident from that disaster .
Key Points
- Fire occurred during dismantling of a 110-meter chimney at the Japan Paper Yatsushiro plant on September 3, 2026, at approximately 6 PM
- The factory had five chimneys, with three damaged in the July 2026 Kumamoto earthquake; an 80-meter chimney collapsed then, killing nine people
- Ten workers were on-site during the demolition and were safely evacuated; no injuries were reported in the September 3 fire
- Firefighters deployed two ladder trucks and twelve fire trucks; the blaze was controlled at 9:25 PM after approximately 3.5 hours
- A 73-year-old nearby resident described being terrified, saying she received an evacuation notice and feared the chimney would explode
Why It Matters
The incident highlights the ongoing dangers and challenges faced in post-disaster recovery operations, as damaged infrastructure continues to pose risks even during carefully planned mitigation efforts. For Hong Kong readers, this serves as a reminder that industrial accidents can occur even during routine safety work, underscoring the importance of stringent safety protocols in high-risk demolition projects. The earthquake-related deaths at this factory already accounted for the highest single-incident casualty count from the July Kumamoto disaster, making the second near-miss a matter of significant public safety concern.
The incident highlights the ongoing dangers and challenges faced in post-disaster recovery operations, as damaged infrastructure continues to pose risks even during carefully planned mitigation efforts. For Hong Kong readers, this serves as a reminder that industrial accidents can occur even during routine safety work, underscoring the importance of stringent safety protocols in high-risk demolition projects. The earthquake-related deaths at this factory already accounted for the highest single-incident casualty count from the July Kumamoto disaster, making the second near-miss a matter of significant public safety concern.