( CNN ) -- An explosion and fire at a Mitsubishi Materials chemical plant in central Japan on Thursday afternoon killed five people and injured at least 12 others , Yokkaichi police said . Ealier , the Yokkaichi Fire Department had reported that 17 people had been injured , five critically but did not report any deaths . The incident happened during a maintenance and cleaning operation at the plant , the Mie Prefecture Police Department said . A fire from the blast lasted about 10 minutes , according to police . Yokkaichi is located about 320 Kilometers ( 200 miles ) west-southwest of Tokyo .
Note : Police say 5 died ; fire officials had said previously that 4 were critically injured . The incident happened during a maintenance and cleaning operation , police say . The plant is located in Osaka , Japan .