Full Breakdown
Fire Erupts During Demolition of Earthquake-Damaged Chimney at Nippon Paper Plant in Kumamoto
9/4/2026, 2:44:12 PM
Incident Overview
On Thursday afternoon, a blaze ignited at the Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto prefecture while workers were dismantling the broken tip of a chimney that had been severely damaged in the July 28 magnitude-7.1 earthquake. The municipal fire department received an emergency call from a plant employee and dispatched 14 fire engines. The fire was contained shortly before 9:30 p.m., and no injuries were reported among the ten workers present at the site. Officials said the precise cause of the fire remains unknown.
Earthquake Aftermath and Plant Damage
The July 28 quake devastated the region, collapsing one 80-meter chimney at the same plant and killing nine factory employees. Overall, the tremor killed 38 people, destroyed or damaged 36,000 houses and buildings, and left more than 2,000 residents in evacuation centers such as school gymnasiums and community halls. Three of the plant’s five chimneys were severely damaged, prompting the demolition work that led to Thursday’s fire.
Response and Firefighting Efforts
Kumamoto prefectural police confirmed that the fire started near the chimney and that none of the ten workers were injured. The municipal fire department reported that, after three hours of effort, firefighters were still battling the blaze despite the deployment of multiple engines. Both the police and fire officials emphasized that the incident was under control by the evening.
Impact and Ongoing Risks
The incident highlights the lingering hazards associated with rebuilding efforts after large-scale natural disasters. While the immediate threat was contained without casualties, the fire underscores the need for careful safety protocols during demolition of structurally compromised industrial facilities. The continued presence of evacuation centers and damaged infrastructure in Kumamoto suggests that recovery operations remain vulnerable to secondary incidents.
Data & Statistics
- July 28 earthquake magnitude: 7.1
- Chimney collapse fatalities: 9 (plant workers)
- Total earthquake deaths in Kumamoto: 38
- Buildings destroyed or damaged: ~36,000
- People in evacuation centers: >2,000
- Firefighting resources deployed: 14 fire engines
- Workers on site during fire: 10 (none injured)
