Watch: Massive fire breaks out at Japan rocket test site, launch suspended

Japan's space agenyhalted the Epsilon S rocket's engine combustion test after a fire broke out at the test site on Tuesday (Nov 26).

No injuries were reported in the explosion at the time of writing this.

The fire broke out at the Tanegashima Space Centrein the remote Kagoshima region of southwestern Japan and in the footage, flames were seen erupting after the test started, which was followed by a massive explosion.

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The fire erupted when a solid-fuel Epsilon S rocket was being tested at the Japan space agency.

White fumes and balls of fire were seen rising from the Tanegashima Space Centre, in the footage of national broadcaster NHK.

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"There was an abnormality during today's combustion test. We are trying to assess what happened," said the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in a statement, while speaking to AFP news agency.

"No injuries have been reported at this point. The cause is also under investigation," it added.

Orange flames rise from rocket engine moments before explosion

According to NHK, the fire started amid a combustion test which began around 8:30 am (2330 GMT) and the media was present nearly 600 metres (yards) away.

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According to NHK, a large explosion occurred nearly 30 seconds later and something ablaze flew towards the sea.

It was reported by the Sankei Shimbun that orange flames had burst out from the engine of the rocket which was placed on a horizontal platform just before the explosion.

The fire which broke out on Tuesday was not the first time setbacks were experienced by JAXA in its rocket programmes.

In February, JAXA had a successful blast-off of the H3, which was its new flagship rocket and was being called a rival to SpaceX's Falcon 9.

(With inputs from agencies)