In a disturbing incident on Tuesday, authorities reported that a man in his 40s is believed to have intentionally ignited a fire at a girls bar in the Susukino area of Sapporo. Shortly after entering the establishment, he reportedly spread a combustible liquid resembling gasoline and lit it on fire. Following this act, the man was taken to a hospital in critical condition due to cardiopulmonary arrest, as indicated by police sources.

The Hokkaido prefectural police, along with Sapporo's fire department, are conducting an investigation into the matter, suspecting it to be arson involving an occupied building. The fire erupted around 3:20 p.m. and caused damage over a period of roughly one and a half hours, affecting approximately 70 square meters across the second and third floors of the multi-tenant structure.

In addition to the main suspect, three individuals—one woman in her 20s and two men aged 30 and 50—were hospitalized with burns and other injuries resulting from the blaze. At the time of the incident, the bar was operational, hosting at least three female bartenders as well as two male patrons who were present during the fire's outbreak.