Sacred hall housing 'eternal flame' in Japan destroyed by fire

A fire has destroyed the Reikado Hall on Miyajima island in the city of Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture.

Reikado is part of the Daishoin Buddhist temple complex and houses the 'eternal flame', which the temple says has been burning for nearly 1,200 years.

The temple has moved the flame to a different location and authorities said the fire may have been caused by it, according to the Japan Times.

The fire was first reported on Wednesday morning and was confirmed extinguished on Thursday.

According to the Japan Times, the Reikado Hall also burned down in 2005 and the flame was preserved.

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