TOKYO, Feb. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- A fire broke out in a refinery in Hokkaido of northern Japan on Sunday afternoon, Kyodo News reported.

    There is no immediate report of casualties. However, firefighters said that black smoke as high as 200 meters could be seen above the refinery, which belongs to Nippon oil Corp in Muroran, Hokkaido.

    Nippon oil said that the fire started in the pump room of the refinery at around 1 p.m. (0400 GMT). Enditem