Authorities respond to emergency near the US Embassy in Beijing

US State Department

Authorities in Beijing are responding to reports of an explosion near the US Embassy in Beijing on Thursday, according to several eyewitnesses at the scene.

A witness said a woman was taken away by police after spraying gasoline on herself, according to China's state-run newspaper Global Times.

The blast was heard from several blocks away at around 1 p.m. local time, The New York Times reported.

Videos that appear to have been captured from the scene show smoke and law enforcement officials responding to an incident:

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.