Dozens injured in Japan restaurant blast

The explosion on Sunday night left 42 people, including children, injured at a two-story restaurant in the north of Japan, according to local police.

The incident happened at around 8:30 p.m. local time, according to media reports, and the fire continued to burn for another six hours until firefighters with 20 fire engines were able to extinguish the flames.

Most of the injuries were mild, but at least one person was said to be critically hurt, fire officials said. 

Large flames, plumes of smoke

Fires broke out following the incident, and images from the scene showed large flames and plumes of smoke rising from the remains of a building in Sapporo.

The Kyodo news agency reported that the strength of the blast had caused a number of nearby buildings to collapse. Some residents told reporters they thought the blast was an earthquake.

Eyewitnesses reported smelling gas in the area after the blast, according to The Japan Times.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but a gas safety center official noted five propane gas tanks outside of the restaurant and two outside a nearby estate office.

mm, es/cmk (AP, dpa)

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