Fire Rages At Bridgestone Factory

More than 5,000 residents have been evacuated after a major fire broke out at the Bridgestone tyre factory in Kuroiso City, 150 km north of Tokyo. The plant is located in a residential area and evacuated residents were provided with food, water and accommodation while 60 fire engines and a fire-fighting helicopter attempted – so far unsuccessfully – to bring the blaze under control. The plant covers 510,000 square meteres, employs 850 workers and makes tyres for cars, trucks and monorails.

The cause of the fire is not known, but there have been no serious injuries to date. At the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Bridgestone’s shares fell by one per cent..