UNIPA News(Tokyo)22 June-A fire at Takinogawa No. 3 Elementary School in central Tokyo on Friday injured at least 11 people and forced the evacuation of nearly 300 students and staff, Japanese authorities said.
The Tokyo Fire Department said the blaze broke out at around 11 a.m. near a music room on the fourth floor of the four-storey school building. The fire was brought under control approximately three hours later after damaging part of the structure.
All students, teachers and staff were safely accounted for, officials confirmed. Most occupants evacuated independently to a nearby park, while firefighters rescued one teacher and several students from the building. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.
Those injured included a teacher who suffered a broken hip and two children who sustained broken arms. Several others were treated for smoke inhalation and transported to a local hospital.
Police said a fifth-grade class was being held near the music room when students reported smelling smoke coming from a storage room used for musical instruments. A teacher discovered smoke after opening the room’s door, prompting an evacuation.
Authorities said the school’s fire alarm system was activated, but the sprinkler system failed to operate.
Television footage from the scene showed thick black smoke billowing from fourth-floor windows as dozens of fire engines responded to the incident.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by local authorities.
