At least 33 people are dead and dozens injured following a suspected arson attack at an animation studio in Kyoto in Japan.
A fire broke out at the Kyoto Animation Co. studio at around 10:30am local time on Thursday morning, when around 70 people were inside the building.
Local media quotes authorities as saying a man had poured a liquid that appeared to be gasoline around the studio.
Witnesses reported hearing the man shouting "die" as he then set fire to the building.
Fire department officials say 33 people have died in and 36 others are injured.
The Japan Times reports that people near the studio heard a "series of explosions and saw black smoke billowing out of the building".
A number of bodies were found on the second floor of the three-story studio, according to the Kyodo News agency.
Police said a 41-year-old suspect is being treated in hospital following the fire.
Firefighters have contained the blaze, after battling for around five hours to bring it under control.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirmed a "large number of casualties" - saying he was praying for the deceased and for the recovery of those injured.
Kyoto Animation, also known as KyoAni, has produced a number of internationally successful anime TV shows and movies.
Their work includes music comedy K-On!!, teen fantasy The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and the acclaimed melodrama A Silent Voice.
