Meirin Shopping District fire in Ise City continues to burn

A large fire broke out at the Meirin Shopping District in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, on the afternoon of August 31. The district, a historic area located near the Ise Grand Shrine and Ujiyamada Station, consists of densely packed wooden buildings, many of which were reportedly vacant.

As of September 1, the fire had not been fully extinguished, with smoke still rising from the site. While the flames were largely contained after several hours, the intense heat caused multiple wooden structures to burn down. No injuries or deaths have been reported.

Police and fire departments have begun on-site investigations to determine the cause of the blaze. Witnesses described seeing flames spreading rapidly through the crowded shopping area.