Fire in Akihabara

Fri 2009/01/23 12:15 JST
 66
 in Japan
872 views

Today at about 14:45, a building which was currently in construction caught fire. About 20 square meters ended up in flames.
About 9 construction workers were taken to the hospital through breathing in the fumes but they are said to be fine. Cause of the fire is unknown at the moment.

News via Yomiuri photo by punynari.

Original text from punynari below.

Hi everyone. I wanted to share what happened to me today.

This afternoon, I went to Akihabara to pick up a Reinforce Zwei figure. After purchasing her from Mandarke, I was greated with so much black smoke that I had to hold my breath and close my eyes. That huge skyscrapper that they were working on right next to Mandarke caught on fire. The scene reminded me alot of the World Trade Center's though I don't know if the New Yorkers were taking pictures with their cell phones. ^_^;

In about 10 minutes, there were about 8-10 fire trucks and police cars with more coming. I saw some workers still in the building. There were also lots of Japanese new media choppers in the air.

I'm going to update my blog with pics but the internet is horrible so it might have to wait till tomorrow.

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  • Eclair
    Eclair in singapore (Registered on 2008/09/19)
    No more NEET, enineering student now...g
    http://saiseki.blogsome.com/

    Hope nobody gets hurt. Hope no figures got burnt ><

    Fri 2009/01/23 12:09:18 JST (ID #459072)
    reply to Eclair's comment
    • Gibson
      Gibson in California (Registered on 2007/05/27)
      Student artist
      http://www.requestview.wordpress.com

      Sucks if a store of figure burned down

      Sat 2009/01/24 00:09:04 JST (ID #459827)
      reply to Gibson's comment
    • Neutron
      Neutron in A place with many dangerous materials. (Registered on 2008/11/17)
      Simple Program Creator, 3D Designer (Without animation), Flammable Organic Gas Producer, Oxygen consumer

      i'm agree with you....
      better let people to get burnt than figures....
      save figures first...people later...

      Sun 2009/05/10 07:38:06 JST (ID #598981)
      reply to Neutron's comment
  • WiseFreeman
    WiseFreeman in DC Cloning Laboratory (Registered on 2007/11/07)
    Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
    http://dannychoo.com.my

    I hope those people who trapped inside the build were safe.

    Fri 2009/01/23 12:10:11 JST (ID #459074)
    reply to WiseFreeman's comment
  • General Noodles
    General Noodles in Malaysia (Registered on 2008/12/29)
    Otaku
    http://general-noodles.mybrute.com

    Did you bring any marshmallow?

    Fri 2009/01/23 12:11:25 JST (ID #459076)
    reply to General Noodles's comment
  • chun
    chun in need to be in bed (Registered on 2007/01/09)
    part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
    http://puppy52art.com/

    wah o_o hopefully no one was hurt in the fire!

    Fri 2009/01/23 12:19:35 JST (ID #459080)
    reply to chun's comment
  • lerry[maru]
    lerry[maru] in Kuala Lumpur, MY (Registered on 2008/09/14)
    Nekophilia

    Hopefully no figures were harmed in this.

    Fri 2009/01/23 12:22:39 JST (ID #459083)
    reply to lerry[maru]'s comment
  • quicoto
    quicoto in Spain (Registered on 2007/12/10)
    Blogger
    http://quicoto.com

    lol Everybody says "oh god no, please don't burn any figure" instead of be worried about a human :P

    Fri 2009/01/23 12:37:18 JST (ID #459098)
    reply to quicoto's comment
  • Hatix
    Hatix in Antwerp, Belgium (Registered on 2007/04/25)
    IT, Programmer, Otaku, ...
    http://blog.jpopdb.org/

    Wow, hope they are fine...

    It looks like that building on the corner there, they've been working on that for ages. Now it's probably going to take even longer..

    Fri 2009/01/23 12:37:47 JST (ID #459100)
    reply to Hatix's comment
  • 「頂の座」
    「頂の座」 in That little island South of Malaysia (Registered on 2008/01/05)
    Mr. High Res

    Its rather shocking that people would be taking pictures instead of being a little more tense in such a situation. I mean even if the bystanders weren't caught in the fire, taking pictures is just....

    Fri 2009/01/23 12:52:25 JST (ID #459116)
    reply to 「頂の座」's comment
    • litokid
      litokid in Toronto, Canada (Registered on 2007/11/25)
      university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
      http://www.vimeo.com/longhim

      ? I don't really see an issue with it. There's nothing they can do to help, and it's not like they're in danger from where they are anyway. Besides which, people with cellphone cameras nowadays like to take pictures to show they were there, and the Japanese are worse (or better?) than most about it.

      Fri 2009/01/23 20:22:58 JST (ID #459604)
      reply to litokid's comment
  • sonic_of_doom
    sonic_of_doom in Hot and Steamy Indonesia (Registered on 2008/08/21)
    Your (un)usual student

    If u're worried about figures,then i'll say"are the gunplas safe too?"

    Fri 2009/01/23 12:54:16 JST (ID #459118)
    reply to sonic_of_doom's comment
  • Koji98
    Koji98 in Arlington, Texas (Registered on 2007/11/04)
    Your local Otaku Cashier.

    That's one hell of a sight.

    "The scene reminded me a lot of the World Trade Center's though I don't know if the New Yorkers were taking pictures with their cell phones. ^_^;"

    Well, I don't think a loud crash sound or any kind of "boom" occurred, so it's a given that they would take pictures. However, if there was a loud crash or "boom", I think most would high tail it out of there, grabbing for dear life their Gamers bags, heading strait to 2ch and talk about how "they were there".

    Fri 2009/01/23 13:02:37 JST (ID #459122)
    reply to Koji98's comment
  • lightningsabre
    lightningsabre in Vancouver (Registered on 2007/08/30)
    Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
    http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/

    OMG look at that wall of smoke!! Jeez so many things happening in Akiba these days. Glad those workers are fine now.

    Fri 2009/01/23 13:03:51 JST (ID #459123)
    reply to lightningsabre's comment
  • Lelouch Lamperouge
    Lelouch Lamperouge in ClovisLand (Registered on 2008/08/21)
    former Emperor of Britannia
    http://reflectiarx.wordpress.com/

    And the skies of the holy ground turned from blue to black.
    kinda makes me wonder if this might be caused by smoking or a faulty electrical
    wiring.

    Fri 2009/01/23 13:12:27 JST (ID #459128)
    reply to Lelouch Lamperouge's comment
  • Cyberchaos
    Cyberchaos in Australia, Sydney (Registered on 2008/02/17)
    NEET part-time - Technical Support Officer - Network security engineer
    http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/

    wow, it nearly looks like nighttime in that pic

    Fri 2009/01/23 13:14:36 JST (ID #459134)
    reply to Cyberchaos's comment
  • aquilla
    aquilla in United Kingdom (Registered on 2008/10/22)
    Office Administrator
    http://aquilla429.co.uk

    Thats awful, but I'm glad to hear everyone seems to be ok.

    Fri 2009/01/23 13:22:47 JST (ID #459140)
    reply to aquilla's comment
  • Rin
    Rin in Toronto (Registered on 2008/01/04)
    Student Otaku (ITM Student) and ACG NA Staff
    http://koiaichaku.com/

    Oh boy...
    Another incident in Akihabara...
    It seems that at least 1 incident happens in Akiba every year now...
    I think I know where your talking about...
    Across from Mandarke the contruction place...I've seen it when i went to Japan in the summer...
    I just hope things in Akihabara will return to normal too...

    I hope the construction workers are alright...

    Fri 2009/01/23 13:32:57 JST (ID #459143)
    reply to Rin's comment
  • Optimus Skiver
    Optimus Skiver in my pants, unless I'm not. >.> ;; (Registered on 2008/07/17)
    Close-protection officer/Martial artist

    This is caused by tiny mini skirts, I just know it!

    Fri 2009/01/23 13:41:31 JST (ID #459148)
    reply to Optimus Skiver's comment
    • aprilius20
      aprilius20 in Malaysia. Physically, at least. (Registered on 2008/10/26)
      Student, part-time Haruhi wannabe (that bit about godhood etc)
      http://www.aprilius20.com

      Mini skirts cause body temperature to rise, thus causing fires? Interesting^^;

      Fri 2009/01/23 13:48:33 JST (ID #459150)
      reply to aprilius20's comment
      • Tiny Red Man
        Tiny Red Man in Tiny Red Dot, Singapore. (Registered on 2007/04/11)
        free lance otaku, full time Protector of Peace.

        someone "Flame On!!" while peeking at moe materials..

        Fri 2009/01/23 14:46:15 JST (ID #459191)
        reply to Tiny Red Man's comment
  • coffeebugg
    coffeebugg in coherently lucid (Registered on 2008/05/22)
    Otari Vader, Sith Lord for Hire, will fillet Makoto Itou for free
    http://coffeebugg.blogspot.com/

    wow.. hope nobody got hurt.

    Fri 2009/01/23 13:50:29 JST (ID #459151)
    reply to coffeebugg's comment
  • Charten
    Charten in United States (Registered on 2008/11/17)
    Student/Music Producer/Web Designer
    http://www.myspace.com/lionbiscuits

    Oh wow...
    Dang wonder what in the world could have caused that?...

    Fri 2009/01/23 14:11:06 JST (ID #459163)
    reply to Charten's comment
  • Tiny Red Man
    Tiny Red Man in Tiny Red Dot, Singapore. (Registered on 2007/04/11)
    free lance otaku, full time Protector of Peace.

    wow. that was scary..

    Fri 2009/01/23 14:44:58 JST (ID #459190)
    reply to Tiny Red Man's comment
  • R-1
    R-1 in a happy place. (Registered on 2007/07/05)
    Overman
    http://myplasticmoustache.blogspot.com/

    Wow, that's dark. I remember way back when I was a kid my dad and I were walking along the city streets when we spotted a local Dunkin' Donuts had caught fire. A really big blaze. My dad tried to help out while I just watched from a safe distance. Really hot stuff.

    Fri 2009/01/23 15:14:26 JST (ID #459210)
    reply to R-1's comment
  • Bayonette
    Bayonette in Manila, Philippines (Registered on 2007/03/14)
    College Student
    http://bayonette.multiply.com

    Hmm, I hope that this incident is not caused by some Akihabara patriots... or worse, anti-otaku terrorists!

    Fri 2009/01/23 15:38:33 JST (ID #459235)
    reply to Bayonette's comment
  • pipopaz
    pipopaz in US (Registered on 2008/08/26)
    thousand master II, Internet Learner, Auto didacta
    http://pipopaz.wordpress.com/

    koaii...

    Fri 2009/01/23 16:01:43 JST (ID #459275)
    reply to pipopaz's comment
  • tintin-san
    tintin-san in シンガポオル Singapore (Registered on 2008/05/11)
    大学生

    Oh my. Hope everybody is okay!

    Fri 2009/01/23 16:09:21 JST (ID #459292)
    reply to tintin-san's comment
  • the great paul
    the great paul in heaven (Registered on 2008/03/14)
    pervert

    i dont know if people were taking pictures with their cellphones or not but i remember that there were other people that i saw while walking across the bridge that was taking pictures with their cameras

    Fri 2009/01/23 16:38:34 JST (ID #459328)
    reply to the great paul's comment
  • acq128
    acq128 in Sydney (Registered on 2008/11/19)
    Student

    wow, hope that building doesn't become delayed by 6months or so because of this incident T_T

    a whole new building for new maid cafe's and more stores D:

    Fri 2009/01/23 16:44:21 JST (ID #459337)
    reply to acq128's comment
  • XSportSeeker
    XSportSeeker in Brazil (Registered on 2007/08/22)
    Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
    http://xspblog.com

    Good thing no one got hurt and the fire was controled...
    Our sanctuary must not be defilled! xD

    Fri 2009/01/23 17:12:18 JST (ID #459374)
    reply to XSportSeeker's comment
  • silentkey
    silentkey in Singapore (Registered on 2008/01/24)
    Student, Uncle & hopfully a good husband..

    I hope not many goods are damaged...

    Fri 2009/01/23 17:15:59 JST (ID #459382)
    reply to silentkey's comment
  • oonini
    oonini in Neptune :) (Registered on 2008/11/07)
    alunmi student

    Luckily no casualties involved :x would of been a disaster

    Fri 2009/01/23 17:23:42 JST (ID #459390)
    reply to oonini's comment
  • gordon
    gordon in 新加坡 Singapore (Registered on 2007/06/11)
    銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
    http://gordonator.com/

    good thing the meidos are alright.

    Fri 2009/01/23 17:30:22 JST (ID #459399)
    reply to gordon's comment
  • Tachikaze
    Tachikaze in Brooklyn, New York (Registered on 2007/12/26)
    University Student

    That looks really bad, hope everyone is ok

    Fri 2009/01/23 17:46:51 JST (ID #459421)
    reply to Tachikaze's comment
  • sanguine
    sanguine in Philippines (Registered on 2008/09/12)
    Student
    http://sanguinerose.wordpress.com/

    Hopefully everyone's alright.

    Fri 2009/01/23 17:52:19 JST (ID #459424)
    reply to sanguine's comment
  • Shockerz
    Shockerz in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Registered on 2008/10/12)
    Student
    http://shockerz.wordpress.com/

    lol.. saw some funny comments here. Looks like the figures is more important than the real human being getting save.

    Fri 2009/01/23 18:02:00 JST (ID #459429)
    reply to Shockerz's comment
  • Monkee
    Monkee in Canada (Registered on 2007/02/08)
    Otaku / Student in Networking
    http://hayasaki-kun.blogspot.com/

    Good to heard that no one got hurt

    Fri 2009/01/23 18:12:35 JST (ID #459436)
    reply to Monkee's comment
  • King Kir4
    King Kir4 in Blacksburg, SC (Registered on 2008/10/09)
    student, doujinshi manga artist

    good thing that YOU werent in it. And yes, that does remind everyone of 9-11. Guess we cant forget

    Fri 2009/01/23 18:42:44 JST (ID #459483)
    reply to King Kir4's comment
  • MAsia
    MAsia in NERV HQ, Tokyo-3 (Registered on 2007/01/14)
    Supreme Commander of NERV Co.

    That looks pretty bad. Hopefully the people trapped were safely escorted outside. ^^

    Fri 2009/01/23 19:31:51 JST (ID #459548)
    reply to MAsia's comment
  • Harts
    Harts in Estonia (Registered on 2008/06/02)
    Student

    This happens from time to time when when they do welding or cutting and there are a lot of sparks. Had a similar thing here too, they were repairing something in a school and the roof caught fire. Luckily it was weekends and no students were in it.

    Fri 2009/01/23 19:34:11 JST (ID #459553)
    reply to Harts's comment
  • Kyone
    Kyone in Boston, MA (Registered on 2009/01/02)
    College student, Mech programmer and striving photographer.
    http://moeforme.blogspot.com

    Hopefully no eroge were harmed in that fire ^^

    Fri 2009/01/23 21:28:45 JST (ID #459654)
    reply to Kyone's comment
  • RogueTrooper
    RogueTrooper in Berkshire UK (Registered on 2009/01/06)
    Dental Technician, i make teeth!
    http://antsizedman.blogspot.com/

    Hope no one was harmed seriously.

    Strange how there is a devined wall of smoke.

    Fri 2009/01/23 21:50:30 JST (ID #459679)
    reply to RogueTrooper's comment
  • Rusting
    Rusting in South Texas, USA (Registered on 2009/01/06)
    Injured

    Its good the fire department got it undercontrol, saved the lives of all the anime figurines near by. Hate how the smoke smell sticks to every thing.

    Fri 2009/01/23 22:02:06 JST (ID #459689)
    reply to Rusting's comment
  • Mirage
    Mirage in New York, US (Registered on 2008/12/27)
    Young Grasshopper
    http://miragestrike.blogspot.com

    Hope everyone was alright. Wish i was there so i can save the otaku goods. :(

    Fri 2009/01/23 22:32:14 JST (ID #459710)
    reply to Mirage's comment
  • kratos
    kratos in France, Paris (Registered on 2008/11/19)
    student

    I'm sure it's onisep's fault
    They are trying to burn our holy-land

    Fri 2009/01/23 22:40:11 JST (ID #459728)
    reply to kratos's comment
  • Hidden Oasis
    Hidden Oasis in California, United Sates (Registered on 2008/10/28)
    College Freshmen

    The first thing I would do is leave so that I don't have smoke inhalation poisoning (or whatever it's called).

    Fri 2009/01/23 23:00:44 JST (ID #459757)
    reply to Hidden Oasis's comment
  • Tubbygaijin
    Tubbygaijin in Leeds, UK (Registered on 2008/03/14)
    Web Designer & Game Developer
    http://www.naffworld.co.uk/blog/

    Gotta love how some guys are still shopping, true Otaku dilligence!

    Fri 2009/01/23 23:28:32 JST (ID #459783)
    reply to Tubbygaijin's comment
  • Akiba-Kid
    Akiba-Kid in California, USA (Registered on 2008/01/17)
    Online Shop
    http://wildarms.egloos.com

    Ooo, I know where that is, that place been on construction for ages, it's always been like that for past 3 years that I went to Japan. Hopefully nobody got hurt. I guess that place will be on construction for longer time now @_@

    Fri 2009/01/23 23:36:56 JST (ID #459794)
    reply to Akiba-Kid's comment
  • Faye
    Faye in California, USA (Registered on 2008/12/29)
    Student, health worker
    http://www.bitterbrownieprince.deviantart.com

    Oh dear ;A; I hope everyone has a safe recovery...

    Sat 2009/01/24 01:05:39 JST (ID #459867)
    reply to Faye's comment
  • uncreative
    uncreative in Japan (Registered on 2008/08/15)
    Student
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/dramacd/

    In before the news blames this on anime/manga.

    Sat 2009/01/24 01:30:28 JST (ID #459886)
    reply to uncreative's comment
  • Andrei-kun
    Andrei-kun in California, USA (Registered on 2008/10/23)
    Student
    http://andreijournal.blogspot.com

    Good thing Japanese aren't dis-organized in this situation. They look like seeing an event in a circus. LOL

    Sat 2009/01/24 02:49:50 JST (ID #459938)
    reply to Andrei-kun's comment
  • silent1134
    silent1134 in Los Angeles, California (Registered on 2007/08/22)
    ???Confused???

    Luckily no one was hurt...

    Sat 2009/01/24 03:57:46 JST (ID #459984)
    reply to silent1134's comment
  • meggie1010
    meggie1010 in San Diego, California (Registered on 2008/12/06)
    Student

    Aaa, that picture is scary.

    Sat 2009/01/24 04:03:56 JST (ID #459990)
    reply to meggie1010's comment
  • LesterHo
    LesterHo in Tokyo, Japan (Registered on 2008/11/16)
    Student
    http://www.lesterho.com

    Wow.. this is indeed surprising. I was suppose to go to Akihabara today and didn't notice this happens yesterday. Will take some of the photos there later to see the remaining.

    Sat 2009/01/24 05:11:11 JST (ID #460027)
    reply to LesterHo's comment
  • RyūPersona
    RyūPersona in Las Vegas, Velvet Room (Registered on 2008/06/27)
    Graphic Arts Student

    Wow... hopefully everyone is doing alright.

    Sat 2009/01/24 05:17:31 JST (ID #460031)
    reply to RyūPersona's comment
  • Akari
    Akari in Vancouver/Burnaby, Canada (Registered on 2008/06/15)
    http://akari-nyan.deviantart.com/

    Oh wow, hope no ones hurt!

    Sat 2009/01/24 06:02:22 JST (ID #460086)
    reply to Akari's comment
  • The Lyrical Loli
    The Lyrical Loli in Los Angeles, California, U.S. (Registered on 2007/10/14)
    Kokoro Kotonoha's personal trainer
    http://loli1983.wordpress.com

    Whoa. That's something i have never seened happen in Akihabara.

    Sat 2009/01/24 06:51:15 JST (ID #460156)
    reply to The Lyrical Loli's comment
  • Pyoro
    Pyoro in Singapore (Registered on 2007/08/22)
    Student
    http://anime.tedfox.com/

    those guys are rather nonchalant given that you have a raging fire in the background....

    Sat 2009/01/24 07:13:18 JST (ID #460188)
    reply to Pyoro's comment
  • Sabekuji Kaneda
    Sabekuji Kaneda in Parañaque, Philippines (Registered on 2008/06/21)
    Mechanical Engineering student
    http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/

    Woah... aren't fires in Tokyo too dangerous seeing as buildings are really close in there?

    Compared to the fires here, this one is rather small. Fires here affect a lot of people especially if it starts in the squatters area, where houses are only made out of wood and packed together. Expect refugees in local gyms and schools and body bags of burned copse x_x

    Sat 2009/01/24 07:50:41 JST (ID #460240)
    reply to Sabekuji Kaneda's comment
  • euphoria
    euphoria in Edmonton, Canada (Registered on 2008/04/28)
    Student/Part-timer
    http://random-euphoria.blogspot.com/

    ugh construction fires...see a few of them here and there every year. I always feel pity for the construction workers, all that hard work put in and you watch it go up in smoke- literally...

    Sat 2009/01/24 11:35:57 JST (ID #460493)
    reply to euphoria's comment
  • mavadotar
    mavadotar in Peterborough, Canada (Registered on 2007/12/11)
    Otaku Student

    Am I the only one as spaced out as me, or did the title make anyone else think of "Fire in the Disco"? I think pretty much whenever someone says "Fire in.." to start something, I always think of that song.

    Sat 2009/01/24 13:34:05 JST (ID #460588)
    reply to mavadotar's comment
  • lemon tea
    lemon tea in cup (Registered on 2009/04/03)
    mouse clicker

    nah, it not important. see----> no one is panic. LOL

    Mon 2009/04/13 15:30:57 JST (ID #561387)
    reply to lemon tea's comment
  • Racer's Dream
    Racer's Dream in Curva Tamburello (Registered on 2009/01/27)
    90's F1 Afficionate and Anti-Otaku
    http://www.livestream.com/f1action

    Looks like an F7 tornado headed straight at ya
    But the Japanese ain't braced up for a tornado beyond F2

    Wed 2009/05/20 02:22:35 JST (ID #613287)
    reply to Racer's Dream's comment
  • hachi86roku
    hachi86roku in finland, middle of nowhere (Registered on 2009/03/22)
    student, ventilation fitter

    that looks bad...

    Sun 2009/06/14 13:06:37 JST (ID #644436)
    reply to hachi86roku's comment

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