Japanese police identify death blaze victims

Police have identified all but one of the 44 victims of an explosion in Tokyo.

But they have not yet found any clues as to what caused the fire.

Most of the victims died from smoke inhalation in the blaze at a four-storey building in the Kabukicho area of Shinjuku.

Eleven bodies were found in a Mahjong parlour on the building's third floor and those of 28 other victims were located in a restaurant on the fourth floor, according to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. Five others were found on lower floors and the roof.

Many of the dead were in their 20s and 30s.

It is the country's worst fire in more than two decades.

Bouquets, bottles of sake and other tokens of grief have been stacked in front of the building's entrance. Passers-by have been stopping to bow their heads and clasp their hands in prayer for the deceased.

Police believe the fire began on the third floor, but are able to determine little more.

Tadao Sugawara, an official of the Tokyo Metropolitan police, says an investigation by some 70 officers has found no clues.

Authorities will continue their investigation tomorrow.