A residential fire broke out in the Kurose Narahara Higashi area of Higashiroshima City around 3:30 AM on the 5th. Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, which was brought under control approximately two and a half hours later. The fire completely destroyed a two-story house and spread to two neighboring residences. According to police reports, a family of four was known to reside in the house that was completely burned down. Currently, authorities have been unable to establish contact with any of the four family members. Police and fire departments are continuing their search and confirmation efforts at the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.