A fire at a primary school in Tokyo’s Kita ward injured 11 students and staff. Investigation reveals a fire shutter on a nearby staircase had already closed when teachers attempted to evacuate children. Faced with a smoke-filled corridor, teachers made the decision to evacuate students through windows onto an exterior awning. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the incident. The quick thinking of teachers prevented potentially more serious injuries. Police are examining why the fire shutter was already deployed during the emergency. The incident highlights potential safety concerns regarding evacuation procedures in Japanese schools.