Great Fire of Hakodate

The Great Fire of Hakodate (Japanese: 函館大火) is a fire that broke out in Hakodate, Hokkaido in Japan on 21 March 1934.^[1][2] It is considered one of the worst city fires in Japan's history.^{[according to whom?]}

On 21 March 1934, a fire was started in a house located within the Sumiyoshi area, Hakodate.^[3] Over two days, burning debris fanned by strong winds set fire to the surrounding areas; including a local court, department store, school, and hospital. According to official documents, 2,166 people lost their lives, with 9,485 injured; 145,500 people were made homeless and 11,055 buildings lost.^[4] The fire destroyed around two-thirds of all buildings in Hakodate. This event also led to many residents leaving and subsequently depopulating the city.^[5]

• 函館大火 - 函館市消防本部
• 昭和9年の大火概況 - 函館市史
• 1934年3月23日付大阪毎日新聞 Archived 2021-06-24 at the Wayback Machine - 神戸大学附属図書館新聞記事文庫
• 昭和9年函館大火の記録映像 1934年3月21日 - YouTube

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