4 injured in fire at high-rise building under construction in Tokyo

At least four people were injured when a fire broke out in a tower block under construction in Tokyo, local firefighters said Friday.

All the victims remained conscious.

The fire broke out around 2:00 p.m. local time (0500 GMT) at the building located in a busy business district near JR Shimbashi Station.

According to Tokyo Fire Department, heat-insulation materials being used in the building's construction caught fire, causing dense black smoke to billow from the 30-floor building.

Emergency first responders rushed to the scene once the fire had been reported and a number of firetrucks surrounded the building, while helicopters flew overhead, local media reported.

According to construction plans, the building was designed to comprise shops and a hotel, and construction was scheduled to be completed in July.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)