1 Sep 2001

Myojo 56 Building Fire

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An explosion which sparked a fire in a building in a busy Tokyo entertainment district has killed at least 44 people. with others critically injured in hospital.

It is unclear what caused the blast which went off about 0100 on Saturday (1600GMT Friday) in the popular Kabukicho entertainment district near Shinjuku railway station.

Police now believe that they have rescued everyone who was in the building, which houses a mahjong gaming parlour, sex clubs and several restaurants.

People found it hard to flee the fire, because there were few windows and only one entrance to the building.

There were 32 men and 12 women among the dead, most of whom died from burns or smoke inhalation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1520057...