Tokyo [Japan], January 22 (ANI): At least four people were killed and four others critically injured after a fire broke out at an apartment in Japan's Kobe, The Japan Times reported on Sunday citing local authorities.

According to The Japan Times, the firefighters received the call around 1:35 am from a neighbour, stating that black smoke was coming from the first floor's window.

Also Read | Earthquake in Afghanistan: Quake of Magnitude 4.2 Hits Fayzabad.

The police confirmed that four were dead at the scene while the other four men were taken to a hospital, said to be in their 40s to 70s, were all unconscious.

They said all eight individuals were found on the first floor of the apartment, which has about 30 rooms.

Also Read | King Charles III Coronation: Three-Day Plans Include Star-Studded Windsor Castle Concert, Series of Street Parties.

As per The Japan Times citing residents and labourers, most of the residents on the first floor were pensioners and day labourers.

A 54-year-old man who lives on the second floor woke up to the sounds of a woman who was passing by screaming that there was a fire.

"My room was completely white with smoke and I ran out," the man said. "A room on the first floor was burning bright red. I would have been in danger if I hadn't noticed."

The authorities said that of the about 300 square meters of the three-story building, 60 square meters of the first and second floors were burned. The fire was mostly extinguished after about an hour, The Japan Times reported. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)