Workers evacuated after smoke in Japan's Osaka

OSAKA - Employees were evacuated from a chemical factory in Osaka, western Japan, after smoke filled a part of the factory building on Wednesday, local press said.

Local firefighters were called to the resin manufacturing plant in Tsurumi Ward of Osaka City after receiving a report of the smoke before 7:00 am local time from nearby residents according to the daily Asahi Shimbun.

The report said firefighters put out the smoke rising from a metal drum containing chemicals about 30 minutes after arrival.

Local police closed roads around the factory site in the morning hours, and all the workers safely evacuated the plant. No one was injured.

The fire official told reporters that the smoke was caused by excessive heat in liquefying the ingredients of the drum.

The police and fire department are investigating the direct cause of the smoke.