Firefighters in Japan are battling what is suspected to be arson on the famous Kyoto animation production studio, as at least 25 people have been confirmed dead by officials.
The animation production studio as at the time of the fire incident, was said to be housing more than 70 people, out of which officials say 25 are dead, another 10 presumed dead. But majority inside ran out off the building immediately the fire broke out.
According to Associated Press which broke the news, reported that an official from the Kyoto firefighters department Kazuhiro Hayashi says out of the yet to be identified number of those in the three-storey building, 36 have been injured, some of them critically as rescue efforts continues.
He says firefighters found 13 people dead on the first and second floors, and later found more than 10 people presumed dead on the top floor of the three-story building.
Hayashi staging further said firefighters were still searching inside the building in case anyone else was left behind.
A man on Thursday morning was said to have burst in and spread unidentified liquid that set off the blaze that later razed the entire building. The unidentified man was seen screaming “Die” when he torched the studio, according to the police, as he was also injured and being treated in a hospital for burns on his face and chest, they said, adding he had told them he “threw a gasoline-like liquid.”
Kyoto Animation is known for short as “KyoAni” in Japan, has produced popular TV animation series including “K-On!” and “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu), which depict the daily lives of high school girls.
It was founded in 1981, and has released a number of animations appealing to younger generations, particularly in the 2000s. Many fans have visited locations associated with the works.
In addition to anime production, the company’s business has expanded to publishing light novels and training animators. It also sells its own products at its shop.
The death toll from the fire is one of the worst in recent years.
The story is still developing…