Four people were injured, one seriously, in an arson attack on a city hall building in western Japan on Tuesday, police said.
The fire broke out at around 7:45 a.m. (2245 GMT Monday) in the city hall of Izumo, in Shimane prefecture, and quickly spread through the building, police said.
Four people, including two city hall employees and two construction workers, were injured in the fire, police said. One of the city hall employees, a woman in her 50s, was seriously injured and was taken to hospital in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest, police said.
The other three people suffered minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital, police said.
The fire was extinguished about an hour after it started, police said. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but police said they are treating it as arson.
We are investigating the cause of the fire, and we are also looking for any witnesses who may have seen anything, a police spokesman said.
The arson attack comes just two weeks after a similar attack on a city hall building in the city of Okayama, in western Japan.
In that attack, a man set fire to the building, causing extensive damage but no injuries.
The arson attack in Izumo has raised concerns about the safety of public buildings in Japan. In recent years, there have been a number of arson attacks on public buildings in Japan, including schools, libraries, and city halls.
The arson attack in Izumo is a reminder of the need for vigilance against this type of crime. Public buildings are often seen as symbols of authority and power, and they can be targeted by people who wish to express their anger or frustration.
It is important for public officials and law enforcement to take steps to protect public buildings from arson attacks. This includes installing fire alarms and sprinklers, and conducting regular security checks.
It is also important for the public to be aware of the dangers of arson and to report any suspicious activity to the police.
Kind regards E. Thompson.
