Fire kills 4 in Japan's Oita Prefecture

TOKYO, March 17 -- A big fire caused by burning fields swept

through unintended areas in Yufu, Oita Prefecture Tuesday, killing four people

and leaving two others injured, local media reported, citing police and

firefighters.

Some 70 people were burning fields to help maintain the fields and grow

pasture grass when the accident happened. Four people were confirmed dead and

the two injured were immediately taken to a local hospital.

According to local observatories, no strong wind was blowing at the time

but a dry weather advisory had been issued for Oita Prefecture.