A man prays next to flowers and tributes laid at the scene where over 30 people died in a fire at an animation company building in Kyoto on July 19, 2019. \u2013 A suspected arson attack at an animation production company in Japan killed 33 people and injured dozens more after a man reportedly doused the building with a flammable liquid and shouted: \u201cdrop dead\u201d. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Details emerged Friday of the horrifying blaze that ripped through a Japanese anime firm, killing dozens including people who tried in vain to reach the roof, but the motive for the suspected arson remained unclear.<\/p>\n
Eyewitnesses described a fire that was like \u201clooking at hell\u201d after a man apparently doused the production company office in the city of Kyoto with a flammable liquid and set it alight.<\/p>\n
Experts and firefighters said the blaze would have raged uncontrollably throughout the structure almost instantly, leaving the dozens of people inside with almost no chance of escape.<\/p>\n
That was borne out by the grim toll: 33 dead, with dozens more injured, including several in critical condition.<\/p>\n
The attack appeared to be among the worst violent crimes in decades infamously safe Japan.<\/p>\n
It sparked an outpouring of grief in Japan and beyond, as fans of the country\u2019s famed anime industry expressed horror at the enormous loss.<\/p>\n
On Friday people were laid flowers and said prayers at the charred Kyoto Animation building.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese young people were the age of my grandchildren,\u201d 78-year-old Sachiko Konishi told AFP of those killed in the attack, most of whom are presumed to be young employees of the company.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf my grandchildren died under circumstances like this, I wouldn\u2019t want to go on living.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yasuko Tomita, 59, was offering prayers near the building, which was still cordoned off.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m praying to help the souls of those killed find release,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u2018Like looking at hell\u2019 <\/strong>Eyewitnesses described a raging inferno that left those outside unable to even approach to help people trying to escape.<\/p>\n\u201cThere was a person who jumped from the second floor\u2026 but we couldn\u2019t rush to help because the fire was so strong,\u201d one local woman told an online affiliate of the Asahi Shimbun daily.<\/p>\n\u201cPeople with severe burns were crying uncontrollably, just completely dazed,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\u201cIt was like I was looking at hell.\u201d<\/p>\nPolice investigators were on the scene Friday taking pictures and examining the devastated building, but the motive for the attack remained unclear.<\/p>\nA 41-year-old suspect is in custody, but the investigation has been hampered by the fact that the man suffered serious burns. He has been hospitalised and was reportedly unconscious on Friday.<\/p>\nOnly sketchy details have emerged about the man, who reportedly shouted \u201cdrop dead\u201d before starting the fire.<\/p>\nLocal media said he did not appear to have any ties to Kyoto Animation. He had reportedly also brought knives and a hammer to the building.<\/p>\nSome reports suggested the man believed the company had stolen his work, with the local Kyoto Shimbun newspaper reporting that he told police: \u201cI set the fire because they stole novels.\u201d<\/p>\nPublic broadcaster NHK said the man, who suffers from a mental illness, had served three and a half years in prison after stealing cash from a convenience store.<\/p>\nOn Thursday, Kyoto Animation president Hideaki Hatta said the firm had received emailed death threats in the past but gave no further details.<\/p>\nThe company founded by a husband and wife couple is known for its skilful animations of manga works, and has a reputation as a generous employer in an industry rife with exploitation of artists.<\/p>\nThere was still little information on the victims of the blaze.<\/p>\nLocal police said 12 men and 20 women were among the dead, with one victim not yet identified.<\/p>\nLocal restaurant owner Tomoyo Kamada said company employees had often come to her \u201cCafe Lapin\u201d for lunch.<\/p>\n\u201cThey were serious and polite women who gave the impression of loving their work and giving it their heart and soul,\u201d she told AFP.<\/p>\n\u201cI still can\u2019t believe it. I can\u2019t understand why people like them had to suffer such a fate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018Incredibly dark time\u2019 <\/strong>Many of the bodies were found on a stairwell leading to the roof, suggesting people were trying to escape the flames when they were overcome.<\/p>\nA local fire department official told AFP the building was in compliance with fire safety rules.<\/p>\nBut he said a gasoline-fuelled fire would have burned too quickly for people to outrun it, with a spiral staircase connecting the floors of the building likely helping the blaze spread faster.<\/p>\n\u201cIf a large quantity of gasoline was poured, it must have turned into gas very quickly, causing explosions,\u201d he told AFP.<\/p>\n\u201cSmoke and flames would have risen up instantaneously.\u201d<\/p>\nThe blaze hit hard in Japan\u2019s anime industry, one of the country\u2019s best known cultural products.<\/p>\nAn online fundraiser organised by an American anime licencing firm had raised over nearly $1.3 million by Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n\u201cThank you to everyone who has shown their support for those impacted by the tragedy at KyoAni,\u201d the organisers Sentai Filmworks wrote, using a nickname for Kyoto Animation.<\/p>\n\u201cTogether, we can bring light to this incredibly dark time.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cThere was a person who jumped from the second floor\u2026 but we couldn\u2019t rush to help because the fire was so strong,\u201d one local woman told an online affiliate of the Asahi Shimbun daily.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople with severe burns were crying uncontrollably, just completely dazed,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was like I was looking at hell.\u201d<\/p>\n
Police investigators were on the scene Friday taking pictures and examining the devastated building, but the motive for the attack remained unclear.<\/p>\n
A 41-year-old suspect is in custody, but the investigation has been hampered by the fact that the man suffered serious burns. He has been hospitalised and was reportedly unconscious on Friday.<\/p>\n
Only sketchy details have emerged about the man, who reportedly shouted \u201cdrop dead\u201d before starting the fire.<\/p>\n
Local media said he did not appear to have any ties to Kyoto Animation. He had reportedly also brought knives and a hammer to the building.<\/p>\n
Some reports suggested the man believed the company had stolen his work, with the local Kyoto Shimbun newspaper reporting that he told police: \u201cI set the fire because they stole novels.\u201d<\/p>\n
Public broadcaster NHK said the man, who suffers from a mental illness, had served three and a half years in prison after stealing cash from a convenience store.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Kyoto Animation president Hideaki Hatta said the firm had received emailed death threats in the past but gave no further details.<\/p>\n
The company founded by a husband and wife couple is known for its skilful animations of manga works, and has a reputation as a generous employer in an industry rife with exploitation of artists.<\/p>\n
There was still little information on the victims of the blaze.<\/p>\n
Local police said 12 men and 20 women were among the dead, with one victim not yet identified.<\/p>\n
Local restaurant owner Tomoyo Kamada said company employees had often come to her \u201cCafe Lapin\u201d for lunch.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were serious and polite women who gave the impression of loving their work and giving it their heart and soul,\u201d she told AFP.<\/p>\n
\u201cI still can\u2019t believe it. I can\u2019t understand why people like them had to suffer such a fate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018Incredibly dark time\u2019 <\/strong>Many of the bodies were found on a stairwell leading to the roof, suggesting people were trying to escape the flames when they were overcome.<\/p>\nA local fire department official told AFP the building was in compliance with fire safety rules.<\/p>\nBut he said a gasoline-fuelled fire would have burned too quickly for people to outrun it, with a spiral staircase connecting the floors of the building likely helping the blaze spread faster.<\/p>\n\u201cIf a large quantity of gasoline was poured, it must have turned into gas very quickly, causing explosions,\u201d he told AFP.<\/p>\n\u201cSmoke and flames would have risen up instantaneously.\u201d<\/p>\nThe blaze hit hard in Japan\u2019s anime industry, one of the country\u2019s best known cultural products.<\/p>\nAn online fundraiser organised by an American anime licencing firm had raised over nearly $1.3 million by Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n\u201cThank you to everyone who has shown their support for those impacted by the tragedy at KyoAni,\u201d the organisers Sentai Filmworks wrote, using a nickname for Kyoto Animation.<\/p>\n\u201cTogether, we can bring light to this incredibly dark time.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
A local fire department official told AFP the building was in compliance with fire safety rules.<\/p>\n
But he said a gasoline-fuelled fire would have burned too quickly for people to outrun it, with a spiral staircase connecting the floors of the building likely helping the blaze spread faster.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf a large quantity of gasoline was poured, it must have turned into gas very quickly, causing explosions,\u201d he told AFP.<\/p>\n
\u201cSmoke and flames would have risen up instantaneously.\u201d<\/p>\n
The blaze hit hard in Japan\u2019s anime industry, one of the country\u2019s best known cultural products.<\/p>\n
An online fundraiser organised by an American anime licencing firm had raised over nearly $1.3 million by Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you to everyone who has shown their support for those impacted by the tragedy at KyoAni,\u201d the organisers Sentai Filmworks wrote, using a nickname for Kyoto Animation.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether, we can bring light to this incredibly dark time.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.ghanamma.com\/2019\/07\/Kyoto.jpg\")