On Thursday, July 18, a fire broke out at Kyoto Animation’s first studio, killing at least 33 people. This makes it the deadliest attack in the country since the end of World War II, and the deadliest fire since the Myojo 56 building fire.
The fire started in the morning of July 18 (about 10:30 local time) when the arsonist set fire to the gasoline, creating what eyewitness report was an explosion that led to the blaze. Approximately 30 fire engines were sent to deal with the blaze, which consumed the 3-storey building.
Of the 33 bodies firefighters found, two were on the first floor, 11 on the second floor, and 20 on the stairs that lead from the third floor to the top floor. As of now, it is reported that 36 people are hospitalized, and at least 10 of them in critical condition.
A suspect has been arrested. The 41-year-old man entered the building carrying 40 liters of gasoline. Two of these containers were found on the scene of the crime. The suspect tried to leave the scene, but an employee chased him. When police arrived, they found the suspect about 100 meters from the building, and apprehended him after questioning him. Local media have reported that the suspect told police officers that he had set the building on fire.
Eyewitnesses have reported that they heard the man shout statements like, “Go die!” and “You ripped me off.” The man has never worked for Kyoto Animation, and thus the details of what the suspect meant by that and his relationship with the studio remain unclear.
The arson resulted in huge loss of life, claiming at least 33 victims. In Japan, the police is not in charge of identifying bodies. That task falls on qualified doctors at the morgue. Police said that 74 people, including employees, were inside the building at the time of the attack.
Kyoto Animation, often known as KyoAni, was founded in 1981; and became the first successful animation studio outside Tokyo.
The studio is famous for having salaried employees instead of freelance animators that get paid per frame. This has allowed Kyoto Animation to focus on quality, and their artists to do what they love without the unnecessary stress other studios have created.
Kyoto Animation has produced numerous animation shows like “K-ON!”, “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya”, “Nichijou”, and “Violet Evergarden”.
Kyoto Animation is renown for its contributions and impact in the industry.
According to its website, the company has 160 employees. The company’s head office is located in Uji City, Kyoto, where a second studio is also located.
Sentai Filmworks also started a GoFundMe drive, which has since surpassed 1,000,000 USD.
Help us help our friends at Kyoto Animation by donating (if you can) or sharing: https://t.co/Fg599lm5Dy
— Sentai 🌞 Filmworks (@SentaiFilmworks) 2019年7月18日
: laiiwarlock/