Oh no.
A fire broke out just outside Tokyo’s sprawling wholesale Tsukiji fish market (築地市場), with flames and thick grey smoke billowing out of old wooden buildings.
Located in Tsukiji in central Tokyo, between the Sumida River and the upmarket Ginza shopping district, the 80-year-old Tsukiji fish market is the largest in the world and a top tourist attraction. In fact, it appears in every guidebook about Tokyo and is usually on most tourists’ itineraries. Aside from being known for its daily tuna auctions before the sun rises on most mornings, the market also supplies many of Tokyo’s top sushi restaurants.
Dozens of firefighters battled the blaze, which broke out in the outer region of the market, close to the surrounding area’s narrow streets.
According to NHK, Japan’s national public broadcasting organization, the fire burned around 200 square metres (2,150 square feet) of the area. A total of 43 fire engines were deployed to extinguish the fire.
The area surrounding the Tsukiji fish market is home to many sushi restaurants and shops, some of which have been evacuated. Reports confirmed that the market’s interior, where the tuna auctions take place, was undamaged. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
More to come.
Sources: BBC, CNA / Featured image: CNA.
