Myojo 56 Building Fire

Sixteen people were found dead in a video mah-jongg parlor on the third floor and 28 others in a hostess bar on the fourth floor, police and the fire department said shortly after the fire.

The fire department has been unable to determine what specifically started the fire.

It cited mainly circumstantial evidence in listing arson as the most likely cause. A large amount of flammable objects were kept at the spot where the fire started -- a corner on the third floor staircase that is normally not seen by the occupants of the building.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn200212...