A man has fired shots toward a hospital in Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, possibly wounding two people. The suspected shooter fled the scene and reportedly holed himself up in a nearby post office.

Police were notified shortly after 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday that shots were heard at Toda Chuo General Hospital in Toda City.

They say the shots had been fired at the hospital building from the street. A doctor and a patient were reportedly hurt, although it is unclear if the gunshots caused their injuries. Their wounds are not life-threatening.

The shooter fled on a motorcycle.

Investigative sources say a post office in Warabi City, about 1.5 kilometers from the hospital, alerted authorities of a man carrying a handgun.

The gunman is holed up in the post office. Police are urging local residents to stay away.

Police sources say they are investigating an apartment in Toda City where a fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon. This residence is believed to be the gunman's home.

Police are looking into potential connections between the shooting incident and the fire.