Fire at Tokyo Elementary School Injures 10, All Evacuated

A fire broke out at Takinogawa No. 3 Elementary School in Kita Ward, northern Tokyo, on Friday, June 19, 2026, injuring at least eight students and two teachers, and prompting the evacuation of approximately 300 students and staff. The fire started near the music room on the fourth floor of the four-story building around 11:00 a.m. local time, according to the Tokyo Fire Department. Emergency services responded quickly, dispatching 68 fire engines and other vehicles to the scene. Television footage showed thick black smoke billowing from the top-floor windows as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

All individuals inside the school were safely evacuated, with many walking to a nearby park on their own. Firefighters rescued one teacher and several schoolchildren from the building, all of whom sustained non-life-threatening injuries, primarily from smoke inhalation. The injured were treated at the scene or taken to hospitals; none of the injuries are considered serious. The school, operated by the Kita Ward government, has an enrollment of about 340 students, as listed on its website.

Firefighting operations continued past noon, and authorities confirmed that no one remained trapped inside the building. The Tokyo Fire Department and police are investigating the cause of the fire, which remains unknown. The incident occurred late in the morning, allowing for a swift evacuation before many classes would have been in session.