TOKYO – A fire was burning Monday in a storage building for hazardous materials at a major U.S. air base on Japan's southern island of Okinawa, the U.S.
military said. The blaze began Monday morning at the building in the central part of Kadena Air Base and was still burning a few hours later, but it was contained within the base's perimeter, according to a U.S.
Air Force statement. Footage on Japanese television showed thick gray plumes of smoke billowing from the building, called the 18th wing Hazardous Materials Pharmacy.
The area was closed off and personnel in the area have been evacuated as firefighters get the fire under control, the statement said.