Fire breaks out near major tourist landmark in Osaka

At least 26 fire trucks and one helicopter dispatched to site to contain flames

A massive fire erupted in a commercial building near the famous Tsutenkaku Tower, a popular tourist landmark in Osaka in western Japan, according to media reports on Tuesday.

The fire erupted on the first floor of the five-story building at Tsutenkaku Hondori Shopping Street in Naniwa Ward, Osaka City at about 5pm local time, according to public broadcaster NHK Japan.

At least 26 fire trucks and one helicopter were dispatched to the site to contain the flames emerging from the building.

Live visuals on TV showed dark smoke towers rising from the commercial property near the Tsutenkaku Tower.

It was unclear if there were any casualties.

Smoke rises from a fire site at a commercial building near a famous tourist landmark Tsutenkaku Tower, in Osaka, Japan, 21 January 2025 (via REUTERS)

Tsutenkaku Tower, a historic Osaka landmark in the Shinsekai district, was inspired by the Eiffel Tower and rebuilt in 1956 after wartime damage. Standing 103m-tall, it offers panoramic views of the city and is popular with tourists.

Tuesday’s fire comes just days after bullet train services between Tokyo and Osaka were temporarily halted after a fire broke out near a track in central Japan, according to JR Central.

In 2021, at least 27 people died after a fire broke out in a building located in a busy commercial and entertainment district in Osaka.

In 2008, a fire at an adult video theatre in downtown Osaka killed 15 men and injured 10 others. Reuters reported at the time that about 120 firefighters extinguished the blaze, which broke out on the first floor of the seven-story building.