The explosion in Sagami General Depot, located in Sagamihara City, is being condemned by Japanese and American officials. Contrary to initial findings, there was no nitrogen, Freon, or compressed air in the site as reported by the Army Times.
The incident happened after midnight on Monday. The multiple explosions left the one-story, concrete storage facility intact but its interior was obliterated and half its roof crashed in. Windows and doors were also damaged.
Half the roof of the depot crashed in
"Commanders were instructed to double-check their storage facilities while the investigation continues to determine the cause of the explosion," Army spokesman Lt. Col. Kevin Toner said on Tuesday.
Army experts, as well as the Sagamihara City Fire Department, determined that the canisters most probably contained oxygen or fire extinguishing materials. The facility also houses explosive gases like nitrogen but those possible accelerants were not present in the facility, as determined by investigations.
Burnt canisters which were initially thought to contain nitrogen lay on the ground
Stripes also reported that initial investigations also do not indicate any criminal activity. The investigation is still ongoing. Army representatives met with the Sagamihara Mayor Toshio Kayama to "share information and express our regret for any anxiety" that the blast had brought to the city.
Sagami General Depot is home to 500 Japanese and 300 US personnel. The base is located around 25 miles southwest of Tokyo. It operates as a logistics and supply facility and stores Army Prepositioned Stocks, crisis and emergency equipment, and medical supplies.
More burnt out canisters
Sagami is also the headquarters of the 35th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, a logistics unit prepared to act in the Asia-Pacific theater. The depot also houses the Mission Training Complex which is used for simulation exercises.
The 403rd Army Field Support Brigade also has elements in Sagami. Its mission includes management of the prepositioned stocks and other maintenance activities. Generally speaking, Sagami General Depot is used to respond to any kind of calamity, emergency, and disaster in the area.
