Huge blaze at famous animation studio leaves at least 10 dead in 'arson attack'
MORE than 10 people are feared dead after a blaze engulfed a famous animation studio in Japan in a suspected arson attack.
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“I heard a bang and the black smoke and the burning smell were awful”
Witness
Several people died in the fire at Kyoto Animation in the city of Kyoto, Japanese broadcaster NHK has reported.
Police have confirmed multiple people have been killed, but have not released any figures at this time.
Officers raced to the site at about 10.30am, shortly after the blaze broke out.
The force estimated some 30 people had been injured in the fire – 10 of whom were unconscious.
While police have said multiple people were killed in the blaze, they have only confirmed one death at this time.
Police have taken a man into custody.
According to local media, the man is suspected of pouring what appeared to be gasoline around the studio.
Kyoto Animation produces Japanese cartoons, namely the Sound! Euphonium series and its Free! Road to the World – The Dream, a movie, was due out in cinemas later this month.
Witnesses said they saw explosions and black smoke coming out of the building and later, people were seen being carried out under blankets.
A 59-year-old woman told local media: “A person with singed hair was laying down and there were bloody footprints.”
“I heard a bang and the black smoke and the burning smell were awful,” a hair salon manager in his 30s said.
