Fire at Nuclear Reactor in Disaster Area
Monday, July 16, 2007 Posted: 10:34 PM JST
Shortly after the earthquake hit the Niigata coast in Japan this morning, a fire was discovered at one of the area's seven nuclear reactors. The fire was reported to the local firefighting department 14 minutes after the quake occurred. Firefighters arrived only 1 hour later, but then were able to quickly extinguish the fire.
NHK reports that the fire was caused by insulation oil, but Japanese government officials have not yet been able to confirm this.
It is the first time that a fire has occurred at a Japanese nuclear power station and government officials were clearly shocked and confused.
Keywords: national_news 2007 Niigata-Chuetsu Earthquake
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