A blast near a pub in Japan’s Sapporo city injured over 40 people on Sunday night, while the subsequent fire caused one of the buildings to collapse.
According to the news agency, residents reported a strong smell of gas after the explosion and were seen breaking windows in the area.
The cause of the explosion was not known yet.
The explosion occurred at around 8.30 p.m. JST, news agency reported.
More than 20 fire engines were rushed to the spot immediately to douse the flames as shattered glass from the windows lined the streets in the aftermath.
Firefighters and police worked to get the site in the city’s Toyohira ward under control, fighting flames and smoke, and warned people in the neighbourhood of the possibility of another explosion, the news agency reported
Investigation into the matter is underway.
