Afghanistan, March 8 -- An explosion was reported at the U.S. Embassy compound in Oslo, the capital of Norway, prompting a police response and a security investigation around the diplomatic facility on Sunday morning.

Reuters reported that the blast occurred early on Sunday, March 8, near the entrance of the consular section of the United States Embassy in Oslo.

Norwegian police confirmed the incident and said security forces quickly arrived at the scene to secure the area and begin an investigation into the cause of the explosion.

Witnesses told Reuters that flames and thick smoke were seen rising from the entrance area of the embassy building shortly after the explosion occurred.

Authorities in Norway said the explosion did not cause ...