A train battery emitting smoke at Nakameguro Station caused a temporary suspension of service on the Tokyu Toyoko Line this Saturday [1].
The incident disrupted one of Tokyo's key transit arteries, forcing commuters to find alternative routes during the afternoon rush. Because the smoke originated from a battery system located beneath the train floor, emergency crews had to ensure the vehicle was stable before resuming operations.
Smoke was first detected between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. local time [1]. The Tokyo Fire Department responded to the scene at Nakameguro Station in Meguro Ward. A spokesperson for the Tokyo Fire Department said they began firefighting activities after confirming smoke was coming from a battery located under the floor of a car while the train was stopped at the station [1].
Station staff alerted emergency services via a 119 call, reporting that a fire had broken out under the floor of the first car while the train was stationary [2]. Tokyu Corporation and the fire department worked to secure the area, and extinguish the source of the smoke.
Service was suspended between Shibuya and Jiyugaoka stations for approximately three hours and 10 minutes [1]. Operations did not resume until about 6:10 p.m. [1].
Despite the smoke and the emergency response, no passengers were hurt during the event. A spokesperson for Tokyu Corporation said there were no injuries [1].
Tokyu Corporation and local authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the battery failure [1, 2].
“Service was suspended between Shibuya and Jiyugaoka stations for approximately three hours and 10 minutes.”
The incident highlights the operational risks associated with under-floor battery systems in urban rail transit. While no injuries occurred, the three-hour suspension of a high-traffic line like the Toyoko Line demonstrates how a single component failure can cause significant cascading delays across Tokyo's interconnected transport network.
