Wednesday's fire gutted Reikado Hall, a revered Buddhist site near the top of Mount Misen in southwestern Japan that had sheltered what spiritual leaders call an unbroken flame for over 1,200 years, according to The New York Times. Authorities reported no casualties, and the Daisho-in Buddhist temple, which manages the hall, said the flame had been taken to another location before firefighters gained control of the blaze.
Daisho-in has announced plans to begin reconstruction right away and said it was grateful for the public response in the wake of the fire. "We have received many messages of sympathy," the temple said in a statement on its website, according to The Times. "Thank you for your concern."