On the evening of February 13, around 9:30 PM, a fire broke out near the home of 81-year-old head priest Suukyou Hiraichi in Matsuyama City, completely consuming the wooden two-story house. Authorities discovered a body of an unknown gender in the burnt ruins. Efforts to contact Hiraichi's wife, aged 76, who lives with him, have failed, raising concerns about her safety.

According to the Matsuyama East Police, both Hiraichi and his 50-year-old son were hospitalized after being affected by smoke inhalation but were conscious upon transport to the hospital. The incident occurred approximately 900 meters northwest of JR Matsuyama Station, with Hiraichi's residence situated within the grounds of Houtou-ji Temple. The complete destruction of the home has prompted an investigation into the cause of the fire and efforts to locate Hiraichi's missing wife.

This tragic event highlights the risks associated with fires in residential areas, especially concerning the elderly. With the summoning of emergency services and ongoing investigations, there may be implications for fire safety protocols in similar residential zones, especially those closely tied to community and religious institutions like temples.