TOKYO, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- A series of fires broke out on Monday in the east Japanese prefecture of Kanagawa, south of Tokyo, resulting in two deaths with another two unaccounted for, local media reported.
At around 2 a.m. local time on Monday, a fire broke out in an apartment in the city of Fujisawa, resulting in the death of one man believed to reside in the unit, national broadcaster NHK reported.
Later in the city of Yokosuka, a fire engulfed a two-story wooden house shortly after 3 a.m. local time, claiming the life of a 55-year-old male resident, it added.
In a separate incident on Monday, a report was made to the fire department by a nearby resident in Kawasaki City's Saiwai Ward at 6:30 a.m. local time, stating that a residence was on fire.
NHK footage captured shortly afterward depicted the entire building engulfed in flames with intense crackling sounds, accompanied by billowing black smoke.
Fifteen fire trucks were dispatched to the scene, and after approximately three hours, the fire was extinguished.
According to the fire department, one two-story wooden house was completely consumed by the fire, while two adjacent houses suffered partial damage.
In the aftermath of the fire, a woman in her 80s and a man in his 50s residing in the suspected origin of the fire remain uncontactable.
Additionally, another man in his 50s sustained injuries and was transported to the hospital.
The local police and fire department are conducting detailed investigations into the precise causes of the fires, and are working to confirm the status of the two missing individuals. ■