Large explosion reported in Turkey

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - There were reports of a 'massive' blast in Ankara, the capital of Turkey on Tuesday. Some reports indicated the explosion took place in a stat-run TV office building.

Later, international new outlets reported that the large plumes of smoke were coming from a house fire and that there had been no explosion. 

The country remains on edge after a failed coup attempt in Istanbul. 

Earlier in the day, the Turkish government escalated its wide-ranging crackdown against people it claims have ties to the alleged coup plotters, firing nearly 24,000 teachers and Interior Ministry employees across the country and demanding the resignations of another 1,577 university deans.

Roughly 9,000 people who have been detained by the government, including security personnel, judges, prosecutors, religious figures and others. Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency says courts have ordered 85 generals and admirals jailed pending trial over their roles in the coup attempt. Dozens of others were still being questioned.

The violence surrounding the Friday night coup attempt claimed the lives of 208 government supporters and 24 coup plotters, according to the government. Turkey says Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based Muslim cleric, was behind the coup and has demanded his extradition. Gulen has denied any knowledge of the failed coup.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

With the Associated Press