Fire Breaks Out at Famous Tokyo Ramen Shop
15 Customers Continue Eating While Watching Flames
Controversy as Staff Do Not Intervene
Suddenly, a fire broke out in a restaurant where people were dining, and black smoke began to rise. Normally, one would choose between two options: extinguishing the fire or escaping outside to avoid it. However, a scene that defied common sense unfolded in Japan. In a smoke-filled restaurant, 15 customers continued eating ramen as if nothing was happening, while the staff merely watched, sparking controversy.
On the 28th, Japan's Fuji TV reported on an incident at a ramen specialty shop in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo. The well-known local eatery, "Ramen Jiro," experienced a fire during cooking on the 28th. This place is famous for piling up chashu pork like a mountain. It has a thick fan base, who are sometimes called "Jirorian." According to footage submitted to Fuji TV by customers inside the store during the fire, the flames soared up to the ceiling.
Despite a fire breaking out at the ramen specialty restaurant Ramen Jiro, customers continue to eat ramen. [Photo by Fuji TV]
Despite the smoke filling the store, customers continued eating ramen, and the staff did not intervene. The informant said, "Even though fire and smoke were present, they kept operating," adding, "All 15 customers remained seated." The staff only began evacuation instructions after the flames had grown larger. There were no injuries from the fire, and according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (equivalent to our National Police Agency), the cause of the fire was reported to be oil ignition in the kitchen. The police and Tokyo Fire Department are investigating the exact cause of the fire.
Despite a fire breaking out at the ramen specialty restaurant Ramen Jiro, customers continue to eat ramen. [Photo by Fuji TV]
After the video became public, netizens criticized the attitudes of the Jirorian (the fan customers) and the staff. In the comment section of Fuji TV’s related report, netizens said, "It's strange that the Jirorians kept eating ramen even though their lives were in danger due to the fire," and "Their obsession with ramen stopped them from reacting to the accident." Others commented, "If the staff had told them to leave, it could have been a disaster," "They look like the gluttonous pigs from the anime Spirited Away," "They were eating as if ready to die in the fire," and "At first glance, it looks like an AI-generated photo."
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