A total of 10 people were killed in residential fires in four prefectures in northeastern and southwestern Japan, police and firefighters said Friday.
Three bodies were found in the ruins of a residential fire in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, which occurred at the home of Fumio Mizuno, 64, at around 11:35 p.m. Thursday. The three are believed to be his 88-year-old mother, 62-year-old wife and 8-year-old grandson, who were unaccounted for following the fire.
In Higashine, Yamagata Prefecture, a fire broke out at the home of 86-year-old Mitsuo Takahashi early Friday, killing two persons. Takahashi and his 87-year-old wife were unaccounted for, according to police.
In Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, two bodies were found following a fire at the home of Hiroko Yamabe, 86. The two are believed to be Yamabe and her 68-year-old son-in-law, who tried to rescue Yamabe.
Meanwhile, two bodies were found in Aira, Kagoshima Prefecture, after the home of Tomiyoshi Domori, 92, burned down. Domori and his 86-year-old wife were unaccounted for, according to local police.
In Akune, also in Kagoshima, the home of Shichizo Tsurusaki, 88, burned down early Friday, killing a person believed to be his 89-year-old wife.