Dozens also injured after man spread flammable liquid and set fire to building of company famous for anime cartoons
Twelve people are presumed dead, fire officials have said, and more are missing in a suspected arson attack at a renowned animation production company in
Japan.
Police in Kyoto said the fire broke out on Thursday morning at a three-storey building belonging to
Kyoto Animation after a man burst in and spread unidentified liquid that set off the blaze.
The 41-year-old suspect was among the injured and has been taken to a hospital, Kyodo news agency reported.
Police told public broadcaster NHK that several people had died in the fire but could not specify the number. At least 38 people were injured in the blaze, which was still burning nearly two hours after it started.
“There are many injuries at the scene,” a spokesman for the Kyoto city fire department told AFP.
He said the fire department had sent 35 fire engines and other firefighting vehicles to the site.
Police said the fire appeared to have been started deliberately.
“A man threw a liquid and set fire to it,” a Kyoto prefectural police spokesman said.
Kyoto Animation is renowned for its high-quality anime productions such as Sound! Euphonium, A Silent Voice and Violet Evergarden.