More than 206 fires erupt in Japan after quake

Tokyo: As many as 206 fires broke out after a massive earthquake rocked Japan Friday, a media report said on Saturday.

Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said fires broke out in 206 locations in 12 prefectures, broadcaster NHK reported.

An earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale hit the country, triggering huge tsunami waves, some 10 metres high, that slammed north eastern Japan.

Fires erupted in many areas in Miyagi Prefecture. There were reports of massive blazes in Sendai, Ishinomaki city and Tagajo city.

In Kesennuma city, night time photos showed large areas of the city ablaze.