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Authorities are investigating a possible act of sabotage, according to local media reports, after the blaze broke out within the Buca district in Izmir, western Turkey.

There were reports fire engulfed the grassy wooded area around the base but NATO has denied claims of the inferno happening "in or near" the base.

According to CNN Turk, the fire threatened a number of populated areas.

(Image: TWITTER)

It was reported how the fire was spreading close to the Allied Land Command (LANDCOM) base.

LANDCOM is charged with improving the effectiveness and reaction time of the alliance’s land forces that when needed could respond to an international crisis.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in the fire, which is being battled by a large number of firefighters.

But a NATO spokesman said: “No fire took place in the NATO land component headquarters in Izmir, nor in areas adjacent to it.

"Our headquarters in Izmir is fully operational. The fire in question occurred in an area close to a Turkish naval base."

It comes just days after a failed military coup to overthrow President Erdogan's government.

The country is still in a time of great political uncertainty as it deals with the long term impications of the challenge to Erdogan's authority.

NATO had 65 bases during the chaotic collapse of the Soviet Union but it has since reduced the number to 11.