A major fire has broken out at a ship-breaker's yard in Kure in western Japan, with the authorities ordering the evacuation of more than 350 households, broadcaster TV Asahi reported on Thursday.
Television broadcasters showed huge clouds of black smoke rising from the region in Hiroshima Prefecture. No deaths or injuries have been reported thus far. Firefighting is reported to be under way.
The fire is reported to have spread from ships ready for breaking at around midday, with the cause unknown.
