A 65-year-old woman, her 35-year-old daughter and 14-year-old granddaughter died after part of their house was destroyed by a fire in Asahi, Chiba Prefecture, on Monday morning.
According to police, flames were seen coming from the second floor of the two-storey wooden house owned by Satoru Ishida, 64, at around 3 a.m. Fuji TV reported that a woman called 119, saying her house was on fire. Neighbours said that Ishida came running out of the house, shouting for help.
Eight fire trucks were sent to the scene. It took firefighters about 2 1/2 hours to extinguish the blaze which destroyed the top floor where the family were sleeping. The roof of the house had caved in, trapping the occupants.
Inside, firefighters found the bodies of Ishida’s wife Hiroko, their daughter Sachi and granddaughter Nanami. They were taken to hospital where they were confirmed dead.
Ishida, who had been in a separate room, was quoted by police as saying he had been smoking just before falling asleep and that his cigarette may have started the fire.
The house is located about 500 meters from Higata Station on the JR Sobu Line.
Source: Japan Today Image: ANN
Join the Conversation