KANAGAWA (TR) – Kanagawa Prefectural Police are investigating a fire that broke out on a pair of flat-bottomed cruising boats in Yokohama Bay on Sunday, reports the Yomiuri Shimbun (May 23).
At approximately 10:30 p.m., fire was reported coming from two yakatabune pleasure crafts — Daini Suzuyoshi and Daisan Suzuyoshi — moored near the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, a retail and restaurant complex in Naka Ward.
The fire was extinguished about three and a half hours after it started. One of the two boats sank in the blaze, according to the Asahi Shimbun (May 23).
At the time of the fire, there were no passengers or crew members on either boat. There were also no reports of injuries in the incident.
The boats arrived at their moorings at approximately one hour and a half before the fire erupted.
A 28-year-old male office worker who lives in the area said that he heard a loud pop. “The force of the fire was strong,” the resident is quoted. “It did not spread to other structures but it was still frightening.”
Kanagawa police and other authorities planned to inspect the site on Monday for clues as to the cause of the fire.
