A large abandoned plastics factory in Japan was recently engulfed in a severe fire, which reportedly swept over an area of 10,000 square meters. The specific location and date are yet to be disclosed. So far, no casualties have been reported. It's not immediately clear what sparked the fire, but investigators are on the scene. The incident has raised concerns about the potential environmental and health implications resulted from the smoke and runoff.

In Japan, such incidents trigger significant public concern about their environmental and health impacts. It's not just about the immediate fire damage, but also about the toxic smoke and potential soil and groundwater contamination. Japan has strict building and fire safety codes, and this event will likely prompt a review of safety measures especially in abandoned industrial facilities.

In the US and EU, similar incidents have led to tightened regulations around storage and handling of materials in industrial facilities, even after they have been abandoned. Depending on the conditions on the ground, environmental restoration efforts are launched to contain and mitigate contamination and long-term effects.