Posted on 06/01/2026 10:37:20 AM PDT by Red Badger
Reikado Hall on Miyajima Island's Mount Misen has been known as the home of the "eternal flame" for over 1,200 years.
And the thing about eternal flames is that if they do get out of control, you can't really put them out. Otherwise they're not so eternal are they?
And then the inevitable happens:
A Buddhist hall in Western Japan known for housing an "eternal flame" that has been burning for over 1,000 years caught fire and burned to the ground on Miyajima Island. pic.twitter.com/8HPHGdDu4A— The Associated Press (@AP) May 21, 2026
Yep, according to News on Japan, the eternal flame burned Reikado Hall to the ground:
Firefighters, including a firefighting helicopter, were dispatched to the scene, and the blaze was mostly extinguished after about two hours. However, Reikado Hall was completely destroyed, and the fire also spread to surrounding forest areas.
No injuries have been reported so far.
But don't worry, someone grabbed a flaming stick from the temple and used it to set fire to something else, so technically the fire hasn't gone out.
And they plan to rebuild the temple.
In fact, this isn't even the first time the eternal flame has destroyed Reikado Hall.
Reikado Hall has suffered repeated fire damage throughout its history. More recently, the structure was completely destroyed in a fire in 2005 before being rebuilt the following year.
Maybe this time around, they might think about fireproofing that place a little.
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1,000 years.
Only to be torched by a puppet.
You would think they would use granite or some impervious stones to build the temple, seeing that it keeps burning down............
I tried to warn them, I even left a fire safety pamphlet.
They need a Smokey Bear.............
Hibachi PinGGG!.....................
Play with fire, you might get burned. I learned that a 5 years old. The Japs didn’t learn if for 1000 years. I thought they were smarter than that.🤔
You sir, are going to hell for that, and taking me with you laughing my ass off.
Irony is, you know, a dish best served reheated.
😁😂🤣😅😆😎...........................
I hate it when that happens.
I was initially sad that we had lost an irreplaceable antiquity. Should I be relieved to know that it’s only the 2005 reconstruction that burned?
The story mentions other fires but doesn’t say anything specific about the level of damage.
I do admire the persistence.
That was one very wild character.
They’ll have to redo all the vacation/tourist pamphlets “The Eternal Flame” burning since May!
...this isn't even the first time the eternal flame has destroyed Reikado Hall. Reikado Hall has suffered repeated fire damage throughout its history. More recently, the structure was completely destroyed in a fire in 2005 before being rebuilt the following year.
Get a clew with a crue to rebuild it in more durable material.
At least put in a sprinkler system!................
There really needs to be a “no smoking” sign, at the very least. And maybe invest in a fire extinguisher.
Wow, I was there in 1967. Memories!
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