Fire in kiln No. 4 Japanese nuclear power plant

Fires took place at the No. 4 reactor at the Japanese nuclear power plant, after three explosions also at the plant. Radiation levels around the plant skyrocketed and could threaten people's health.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan said today that the No. 4 reactor at the Fukushima I nuclear power plant has just started a fire. " People within a radius of 20-30 km away from the reactor should stay in the house, " AFP quoted Kan as saying.

Reactor No. 3 before the explosion

Mr. Kan added that the level of radiation has increased significantly. The prime minister's spokesman said radiation levels had become a threat to human health.

This morning, a big explosion occurred in the No. 2 reactor. The explosion caused 15 injured workers and military personnel and 190 people could be exposed to higher levels of radiation. Workers at the No.2 reactor were evacuated, except for those tasked with pumping seawater into the furnace.

At the Fukushima I nuclear power plant, the first explosion occurred on Saturday (furnace No. 1); the second explosion happened yesterday (furnace No. 3); The next explosion took place this morning (in oven No. 2). And now there is a fire in kiln 4.

The Fukushima I power plant has a total of 6 reactors, which have been in use since the 70s of the last century. The factory is located 250 km north of Tokyo. This is one of the 25 largest nuclear power plants in the world.

Fukushima I (Dai-ichi) is about 10 km away from the Fukushima II nuclear power plant (Daini). This problem has not been detected by this factory. However, officials requested residents within a 10 km radius to evacuate.

All over Japan there are 55 nuclear reactors of 17 power plants, distributed in many different provinces.

Location of Fukushima I and II nuclear power plants.Graphic: BBC

Movements of tsunami earthquake in Japan:

- March 11: The magnitude 9 earthquake occurs off Miyagi prefecture, northeastern Japan. The tremor was widespread, spreading to the Tokyo capital to the south. Earthquakes destroyed many houses and infrastructure, damaging some nuclear power plants.

- Afternoon 11/3: Tsunami hit the northeastern Japanese provinces. The most affected provinces are Iwate, Miyagy, Fukushima. Waves washed away many cities and villages to the sea. In a city, there were 9,500 people missing.

- March 12: The first explosion occurred at the Fukushima I. nuclear power plant.

- March 14: The second explosion occurred at the Fukushima I. nuclear power plant. Nearly 200,000 people were ordered to evacuate to avoid the risk of radiation.

- March 15: The third explosion, also at this factory.

- March 15: Detecting more than 2,000 bodies washed off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture. Official death toll is more than 1,800. However, the Japanese press estimates this number above 10,000.

- March 15: Fire occurs at the No. 4 reactor of Fukushima I.