At 10:30 am local time (6:30 pm Pacific Daylight Time), a fire broke out at building that housed the Kyoto Animation Company in Kyoto, Japan. A man in his 40s was suspected of starting the fire which killed 33 people, with another 36 injured, according to NHK.
Witnesses to the event recall seeing the suspect pour an accelerant on the building and shouting before starting the fire. He was arrested and taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Kyoto Animation Company was founded in 1981 and worked on a number of anime series including K-ON, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Free!.
Anime fans from around the world took to social media posting messages of condolence and support for those affected by the fire.
What a truly awful thing to happen to people that only wanted to be creative and give others enjoyment #PrayForKyoani pic.twitter.com/r73ZMnlsvJ
— Scrapper Tracer and Jeff (@scrapperOW) July 18, 2019
KyoAni has brougth joy to many and been a constant source of inspiration in the art and animation communities #PrayForKyoani pic.twitter.com/UcYnNHPcLH
— Sam S R (@SamSR94) July 18, 2019
Source: NHK
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