Explosion in Sapporo injures three people

According to media reports, an explosion on Tuesday afternoon at a building in Sapporo’s Susukino entertainment district left at least three people injured and one person reportedly unconscious.

The incident occurred around 3:18 p.m. in the densely populated Susukino district, surrounded by multi-apartment buildings. An emergency call reported “an explosion and flames visible from the window,” NHK reported, citing the Sapporo fire department.

Seventeen fire engines were dispatched to the scene. Footage from local broadcaster HBC showed white smoke billowing between buildings as firefighters poured water on the flames.

The fire brigade confirmed that the injured included an unconscious man and two other people, a man and a woman, who suffered burns, NHK reports.

The police and fire brigade are working to determine the cause of the fire.