Six people suffered minor smoke inhalation after a fire broke out Monday morning in a 10-story condominium complex in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo, fire department officials said.
The fire, which started around 9:55 a.m., heavily damaged some 30 sq. meters of a fourth-floor unit. The blaze was put out after about 40 minutes, the fire officials said, adding they were looking into the cause.
About 25 residents living on the building's upper floors were evacuated by fire trucks. Nearly 40 vehicles and a helicopter were used in the rescue, the officials said.
"When I noticed (the fire), black smoke had reached the entrance of my condo," said a 63-year-old man after he was rescued. "I managed to move next door using the balcony, but it was scary."