One dead, four hurt in suspected gas blast at Sapporo house fire

A suspected gas explosion sparked a house fire in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Sunday morning, killing one person and injuring four, while damaging neighboring homes.

The incident occurred at around 5.05am in the Teine Ward of Sapporo. Residents reported hearing a loud bang and seeing flames at the two-story wooden house, which was completely destroyed by the fire. Firefighters later discovered a body in the burnt debris.

The house was owned by a 62-year-old man who was injured along with his daughter in her 20s. Two women from nearby homes were also hurt and taken to hospital in stable condition. The man's wife, in her 60s, remains unaccounted for and identification of the deceased is underway.

Multiple callers reported smelling a strong gas odor, and nearby undamaged homes had extensive window damage, with debris scattered across the road. Police and fire services are investigating the cause as a "suspected explosion."

The area, a quiet residential district about one kilometer from JR Hassamu Station, was left strewn with debris and soot. Residents described the sound of the blast as "like an earthquake."