At least 4 killed in apartment fire in western Japan

By Anadolu Agency Staff

ANKARA (AA) - At least four people were killed, and another three are feared dead after a fire broke out early Sunday at an apartment in Kobe, western Japan, authorities said.

Firefighters received a call around 1:35 a.m. local time (1635GMT Saturday) from a neighbor who saw smoke emanating from a window on the first floor of the three-story building located in the Hyogo Ward of Kobe, Kyodo News reported citing police and hospital sources.

Four of the men were confirmed dead on the scene, police and hospital sources said.

Three of the other four men taken to the hospital remain unconscious, according to the media outlet.

A man in his 40s was revived, the police said.

All eight people were found on the first floor of the apartment, they said.

The building, which was built in 1963, houses approximately 30 people, the majority of whom live alone and are pension recipients or on welfare.