Shuri Castle, World Heritage site on Okinawa, ravaged by fire

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — A fire on Thursday destroyed significant portions of Shuri Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Naha, the Okinawa prefectural capital.

The castle, rebuilt in 1992 following its destruction in World War II, was reported on fire at 2:21 a.m. and burned for 11 hours before firefighters called it extinguished, according to the city of Naha Fire Department.

The blaze started in the Seiden, or main building, then spread to the Hokuden, or northern wing, and Nanden, the southern wing, a city of Naha Fire Department spokesman told Stars and Stripes. All three buildings were destroyed, according to NHK, the Japanese public broadcast agency.

At 11 a.m. firefighters were working the blaze at the Hoshinmon, or Hoshin Gate, near the ticketing counter, the department spokesman said.

Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/shuri-castle-world-heritage-site-on...