A fire has destroyed a sound stage at Kadokawa-Daieistudio in Chofu, a western Tokyo suburb. The blaze, which broke out in thestructure in the early morning hours of November 21, did not result in anyinjuries. The cause has not yet been determined and total damages have not yetbeen assessed.

The 1,067 square metre sound stage, one of five in thestudio, was being used to shoot Yokai -- The Great Goblin War, a majorKadokawa Pictures release for the 2005 summer season. Company officials havesaid the release date will not be pushed back.

The fire, which was discovered at 12:45 a.m., nearly twohours after the end of shooting for the day, burned for eight and a half hoursand completely gutted the structure.

Kadokawa reopened the studio on September 1 after thecompletion of $9 million in renovation work. Covering 12,000 square metres, thestudio has five sound stages, as well as screening rooms, meeting rooms,workshops and the Kitchen Cafe Gamera - named for the giant turtle that is aDaiei symbol.