Osaka Dotonbori Fire Claims Two Firefighters, Suspect Charged

On August 18, a large fire erupted in Osaka's Dotonbori district, engulfing two adjacent buildings. The blaze killed two firefighters, 55‑year‑old Mori Takashi and 22‑year‑old Nagatomo Mitsunari, while injuring five others, four of whom were firefighters.

Police investigations identified a 35‑year‑old restaurant employee as the likely cause after he discarded a lit cigarette on the ground, igniting the fire. The suspect has been transferred to prosecutors for investigation on charges of major negligence leading to fire.

The fire spread rapidly due to the complex building structures, illegal signage, and external wooden elements, taking nearly four hours to bring under control and burning over 300 square metres of floor space.