A maintenance power cable fire near Tamagawa Station caused a temporary suspension of service on the Tokyu Toyoko and Meguro lines on June 15, 2024.

The incident disrupted one of Tokyo's critical transit arteries, affecting the movement of thousands of passengers during the afternoon hours. Because these lines serve as primary conduits for commuters in Ota Ward, any failure in power infrastructure can lead to significant regional delays.

The incident was reported at approximately 13:40 JST [1]. Station staff said smoke was visible within the railway premises [1]. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, a maintenance power cable had burned [1].

Tokyu Corporation suspended operations on both the Toyoko and Meguro lines to ensure safety and allow emergency responders to address the fire. The disruption lasted until approximately 15:20 JST [1], when full service was restored across the affected lines.

A Tokyu Corporation spokesperson said there were no injuries among passengers [2]. While some reports suggested a different cause involving a mobile battery, police and primary reports identified the maintenance cable as the source of the smoke [1].

The total number of passengers affected by the suspension was estimated at 35,000 [3]. Tokyo Metropolitan Police are currently investigating the exact cause of the cable failure to determine if it was due to equipment degradation, or an external factor [1].

Tokyu Corporation has not yet released a detailed technical report on the specific failure of the maintenance cable, but the rapid restoration of service suggests the damage was localized to the cable housing rather than the primary rail power system [1].

“A maintenance power cable had burned.”

This incident highlights the vulnerability of urban rail networks to localized infrastructure failures. While the lack of injuries indicates effective emergency protocols, the fact that a single maintenance cable could suspend two major lines underscores the interdependence of power systems in Tokyo's high-density transit corridors.