Steam locomotive "SL Ginga" is seen at JR Hanamaki Station in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, on April 29, 2017. (Mainichi/Takashi Kokaji)

       ICHINOSEKI, Iwate -- Smoke from a steam locomotive that passed through JR Ichinoseki Station in this north Japan city was apparently mistaken for a fire, resulting in the dispatch of firefighters on July 9.

       The Ichinoseki City Fire Department headquarters received a report at around 9:55 a.m. of "black smoke around the station." Firefighters rushed to the site, but found no fire or trace of anything burning. A steam locomotive had apparently passed through the area around the time the report was filed.

       According to the Morioka branch of East Japan Railway Co., the locomotive was the "SL Ginga C58 239" set to go into operation on Aug. 21. Because it usually does not pass through Ichinoseki Station, the railway company reported its operation to the fire department in advance. For locomotive test runs, the company apparently does not disclose the time or route to prevent crowds gathering.

       A representative at the company's Morioka branch seemed surprised.

       "It is rare for a steam locomotive's smoke to be mistaken for a fire. At least in the last three years, I have not heard of any cases," the official said.

       (Japanese original by Yuga Matsumoto, Morioka Bureau)

       Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0