A fire broke out at a primary school in central Tokyo on Friday, forcing the evacuation and rescue of around 300 students and teachers, officials said.
The Tokyo Fire Department said the blaze started near a music room on the top floor of Takinogawa No. 3 Elementary School, a four-storey building, late in the morning.
Firefighters rescued one teacher and several schoolchildren from inside the building. Authorities said they sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Television footage showed thick black smoke pouring from fourth-floor windows as firefighters worked to bring the fire under control. Dozens of fire engines reached the scene.
Officials said all other students and staff evacuated to a nearby park on their own. They confirmed that no one remained inside the building after the evacuation.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
