Pentagon Confirms Blast at U.S. Military Post in Japan

A blast ripped through a U.S. military post in Japan after midnight, triggering a fire, the Pentagon confirmed Sunday, noting that no injuries had been reported.

U.S. Navy Commander Bill Urban, a spokesman, said the explosion occurred at a building the Sagami Depot in the city of Sagamihara, some 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of Tokyo. 

"There are no reports of injury, and base firefighters and first responders are currently fighting the resulting fire to prevent its spread to nearby buildings," Urban said.

"These are all the details we have at this time and will provide further information as we receive it."

The Jiji Press news agency quoted the local fire department and other sources as saying that a warehouse was ablaze and that a resident of the area reported hearing more than 10 explosions.

Gas cylinders were reportedly stored in the warehouse.

More than a dozen fire engines and ambulances were at the site but firefighting operations were being hampered by U.S. military restrictions and the possibility of dangerous substances being burned, Jiji Press said, without elaborating.