A fire near the famed Tsukiji fish market in central Tokyo was extinguished Friday morning some 15 hours after it broke out, firefighters said.
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There were no injuries. The Tokyo fire department mobilised about 60 fire engines to battle the blaze, which started around 4.50pm Thursday and filled the fish market and nearby area with thick smoke.
While everyone in the area evacuated safely, one firefighter complained of ill health, probably due to heat exhaustion, according to the department.
An aerial view shows smoke pouring from a fire site outside the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo on Thursday. Photo: Kyodo
People watch as firefighters battle the blaze outside the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo on Thursday. Photo: EPA
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc suspended power supply to the area close to the fire at the request of the Tokyo fire department and about 200 houses temporarily suffered power outages.
The Tsukiji wholesale market, a popular tourist attraction, was established in 1935. Its planned relocation to the nearby Toyosu area has been delayed by pollution concerns at the new site.
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The blaze occurred in an area known as the “outer market” that houses around 400 stores including sushi restaurants and marine product shops.
