Emperor's seaside villa razed by fire: Japanese police are investigating the mysterious fire which destroyed the Imperial Villa at the seaside resort of Hayama, 36 miles from Tokyo on Thursday (Jan 28) which was unoccupied at the time, and power was turned off. The fire was discovered by a watchman when a fire alarm sounded at 10:30 pm, and found flames racing up paper screens which spread rapidly and soon engulfed the entire villa built in 1894 which covers 3,804 square meters. In the two-story villa, where the Emperor and Empress were to stay for two weeks commencing Feb 8, the Emperor frequently carried out his winter research in marine microbiology, and was often seen in summer wading in the sea together with the Empress searching for marine specimens amongst the rocks.
Photo shows the covered porch of the Imperial villa at Hayama, is all that remains standing after the mysterious fire.
Photo measures 8.25 x 5.75 inches.
Photo is dated 2--1971.
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