Japan: 5 Killed in Confectionery Plant Fire (Photos)

Five people died and one other was missing after a confectionery plant caught fire in Niigata Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast late Friday night.

The police said another person was taken to a hospital after inhaling smoke, adding that there were dozens of workers present at the plant in Murakami when the fire broke out.

They assured that the fire was brought under control about nine hours after it started. However, the search for the missing has been halted due to fears the building may collapse.

The plant is operated by confectionery maker Sanko Seika Co., which produces a variety of rice crackers among other products.

A similar incident took place in South Korea on Friday as a petrochemical company Yeochun NCC’s (YNCC) plant killed four people and injured four.

“Currently, the third plant has not stopped production and the first and second plants are operating.. as of now there is no impact to production,” a YNCC official told a briefing.

“The labour ministry is on the scene to decide whether to suspend production or shut down a plant, and I think it will be decided according to administrative measures.”