Explosion, black smoke from Taketoyo power plant reported, fire department says

An explosion was heard and black smoke was reported rising from Japan's Taketoyo thermal power station in Aichi prefecture in central Japan on Wednesday, an official at the local fire department told Reuters on Wednesday. The black smoke was coming from the thermal power plant's boiler area, the official said, adding that firefighters were sent to the facility.

An explosion was heard and black smoke was reported rising from Japan's Taketoyo thermal power station in Aichi prefecture in central Japan on Wednesday, an official at the local fire department told Reuters on Wednesday.

The black smoke was coming from the thermal power plant's boiler area, the official said, adding that firefighters were sent to the facility. There were no reports of injuries, the official said, after receiving calls from witnesses. The power plant is run by JERA, Japan's top utility. JERA did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for a comment.