Multiple explosions heard at US military facility in Japan

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Explosions reported at Sagami General Depot in Sagamihara City
Residents said explosions began before 1am and lasted for ten minutes
Blasts thought to be caused by accidental fire at storehouse
Pentagon spokesman said Defense Department is aware of the blasts

By Christopher Brennan For Dailymail.com

Published: 12:57 EST, 23 August 2015 | Updated: 17:12 EST, 23 August 2015

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Multiple explosions have been heard at a US Army facility in Japan, according to reports

The explosions occurred at the Sagami General Depot in Sagamihara City, Japan, according to Shingetsu News Agency.

Those in Sagamihara City, where the depot for the US military houses ammunition, heard loud blasts before 1am local time on Monday morning.

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Video and pictures on social media showed smoke billowing into the air as repeated explosions were seen at a US military facility in Sagamihara City, Japan

Initial reports suggest that the explosions came from an accidental fire at a storehouse for ammunition and explosives

Video of the incident showed repeated blasts of light coming from the base as smoke billowed into the air.

One resident told Japanese broadcaster NHK that she was awoken by what sounded like thunder before seeing the bright orange blaze.

She described smelling a gunpowder-like odor as the explosions continued for about 10 minutes.

Fire trucks have been called to the scene, which is 25 miles southwest of the Tokyo metro area in the Kaganawa Prefecture.

About 580 people work at the 500-acre facility, according to NHK. Residents in the area have not been evacuated.

Shingetsu said that the initial explanation for the blasts was that there had been an 'accidental fire' at a storehouse holding explosives and petroleum products, including gas cylinders.

#BREAKING: Explosion/Fire at The U.S. military facility in #Sagamihara, #Kanagawa, #Japan source said pic.twitter.com/dTZ4pzVBYo
— From Somalia Live (@hassanistiila) August 23, 2015

There were no immediate reports of injuries or death because of Monday morning's explosions. Above, the gate of Sagami General Depot

Though the majority of service men and women are stationed in bases on Okinawa, the US military houses soldiers at the General Depot as well as near Sagamihara at Camp Zama.

In April of this year three explosions were heard near the base, according to the Wall Street Journal. Police expected that the blasts were from left-wing Japanese extremists.

The Sagami General Depot also has a lounge for service members, which is closed on Sundays. .

Pentagon spokesman US Navy Commander Bill Urban told AFP, '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'.