4 dead after house fire in Tokyo suburb

Sad for the people who died and their relatives, but it must have worried the people in the houses along side; they are so close together! Flames or burning material could have jumped that gap with ease.

This is what happens when houses have zero insulation, so people have to burn kerosene inside wooden structures to stay warm. Third world.

Thank you fire officers. Could of been worse

Still according to the survey, with 182 responses, the kotatsu was the third most common form of heating after air conditioners (500 responses) and kerosene stoves (289 responses). It was followed by heated flooring (169), gas stoves (159) and electric carpets (100).

Maybe give us some information on house fire statistics, on causes over the last year.

We always recommend phase out kerosene !

Maybe give us some information on house fire statistics, on causes over the last year.

Don't be so silly. Goldfish syndrome. Concur with the comments re lack of insulation tho. And with all the technology available here too.

Anyone with Japanese family members should buy and install smoke/carbon monoxide detectors throughout their loved ones' homes unsolicited.

The last time I visited Japan, I simply went to the local DIY home center and purchased devices (new models have a 10-year lithium battery), and installed them in strategic locations throughout my in-laws' home, and my sister-in-law's home. Commercial-grade chemical fire extinguishers in the kitchen as well. After, I showed them where they were and how to use them.

You obviously care about your in-laws, Capt, I upvoted ye. Yeah, everyone should be sure to have working fire alarms and extinguishers in their homes.

CaptDingleheimer: You're right that people should not hesitate to protect their homes and selves, and that should include state-of-the-art tech... or at least the fire extinguishers. And I agree with other posters above that they have to stop with the kerosene stoves (that you need to open a window or door for, defeating the purpose) or even putting stuff to close to the infrareds so that they come into contact and light up. Old kotatsus with the bulb are a fire hazard as well.

RIP to these people. Good on the people that called it in, and the fire fighters for keeping it contained in such a tight housing situation.

This is what happens when houses have zero insulation, so people have to burn kerosene inside wooden structures to stay warm. Third world.

Houses in Hokkaido have insulation. Lack of insulation does not result in being forced to use kerosene or gas heaters. That said, those types of heat are far too common. It's shocking.

@ kawabegawa - and I'm pretty sure they've never heard of double or triple pane windows in Japan. Our Mansion is only 5 years old, but all the windows including the huge doors on the balcony, are single pane. We are constantly having to run the heaters just to be comfortable.

how do you know what was heaters in this case maybe somebody was smoking in bed

So SAD !!!