Japan's capital city Tokyo faced a temporary blackout on Wednesday afternoon after a fire broke out at a power facility, affecting normal life of the people. The unexpected power outage left over 3.50 lakh households without electricity, affected government institutions and halted train services in the city.
Tokyo authorities ruled out terror attack and pointed at a fire at Niiza city's power substation for the blackout. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga refused to answer when asked about the possibility of sabotage.
Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is investigating into the cause of the blackout that happened at around 3.30 pm that affected 350,000 households in several wards like Itabashi, Bunkyo, Nerima Chuo, Chiyoda, Minato and Toshima.
TEPCO said that smoke was detected from its substation in Saitama Prefecture, causing a power outage in Tokyo city. Footage from Japan's broadcasting organization Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK) showed black smoke emanating from the power facility in Niiza.
Firefighters were pressed into work to rescue people trapped in elevators due to the power outage. No casualty or injury has been reported so far.
Electricity was restored by 5 pm.
(With inputs from IANS)
