Three Dead in Gifu Cake Shop Fire After Reunion
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago5 MIN
Summary
A deadly fire broke out on the night of September 5 at Sunrise, a well-known cake shop with an attached residence in the Sokei area of Motosu, Gifu Prefecture, where the owner was meeting friends inside. Firefighters found two bodies at the scene, and a 70-year-old injured man later died in hospital, bringing the death toll to three, while two other people were injured. Police said 11 people were in the building at the time and are investigating the case as suspected murder and arson after a report that someone had been stabbed and gasoline had been splashed. The shop had been operating for 20 years and, according to people familiar with the gathering, the owner may have been meeting former middle-school classmates.
Key Points
- A 65-year-old woman called emergency services at about 9pm on September 5, reporting that someone had been stabbed, gasoline had been splashed, and a fire had broken out.
- The site was Sunrise in Motosu's Sokei district, a two-storey cake shop and residence with indoor and outdoor café seating, about 1.3 kilometres southeast of Kitagata-Makuwa Station.
- Firefighters discovered two bodies in the blaze, while three injured people were taken to hospital, including 66-year-old owner Satomi Tsunoya (曾野聰美); one 70-year-old man later died.
- Police believe a serious conflict erupted among people gathered inside, and one deceased attendee, funeral company executive Hiroshi Hayashi (林寬至), is suspected of attacking others with a knife and setting the fire
- The fire burned about 300 square metres, punched holes through the roof, blackened much of the structure, and was extinguished roughly three hours later after several loud bangs were heard nearby.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers travelling in Japan, the case is a reminder that serious violent crime can also occur in seemingly quiet suburban settings and during private social gatherings. It also shows how quickly a mixed-use shop-and-home property can become deadly when fire and suspected assault happen at the same time, complicating rescue and investigation work.