Tokyo's 80-year-old fish market catches fire
Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market, the world's largest and one of the Japanese capital's most popular tourist sites, has caught fire amid government plans to relocate the popular shopping area.
Dozens of firefighters with some 30 fire trucks were on the scene battling the blaze which broke out just before 5:00 p.m. local time (0800 GMT) on Thursday, media said.
Efforts to extinguish the flames were hampered by the area's narrow streets and tight-knit buildings.
However, there were no immediate reports of injuries or people trapped.
The fire was in Tsukiji's "outer" market - an area packed with informal restaurants where tourists can tuck into fresh seafood plates and sushi.
Media reports said it spread to four buildings covering some 200 square meters of area.
The Tsukiji "inner" market, where most seafood wholesalers are located and tuna auctions are carried out at dawn, was not affected by the blaze.
In June, Tokyo's governor Yuriko Koike announced a plan to move Tsukiji from its current location on some of the city's most prime real estate to a man-made island which critics say has contaminated soil.
Tsukiji draws tens of thousands of visitors a year to its warren of stalls laden with exotic species of fish, huge tuna and fresh sushi, part of a tourism boom that is a key part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's economic plan.
But Tokyo's governor said the 80-year-old market's age and vulnerability to a big earthquake meant it had to be rebuilt.
Iran’s unprecedented strikes against Israel ‘legitimate’: Malaysia PM
Australia police arrest man after reports of stabbing in western Sydney
Six killed, several injured in Sydney stabbing spree
US vetoes Palestinian request for full UN membership
Iran sufficed to striking part of Israel’s military positions: FM to UN chief
IRGC: Israel’s Dimnoa nuclear reactor not among Op. True Promise’s targets
VIDEO | West Asia awakens
'Stop any further Israeli adventurism,' Iran FM tells Security Council
Google fires 28 employees for protesting military deal with Israel
Burkina Faso expels three French diplomats over ‘subversive activities’
Iran slams G7 statement, vows no iota of doubt to respond to aggression
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
