Several dead, over 30 injured in possible arson attack at studio in Japan's Kyoto

TOKYO, July 18 (Xinhua) -- A fire at an animation studio in the city of Kyoto, western Japan, has left several people dead and injured more than 30, some of them seriously, local media reported Thursday.

The fire started at around 10:30 a.m. local time on Thursday morning at a three-story studio of Kyoto Animation Co., known for producing popular TV animation series and artifacts.

Local police and first responders said a man has been taken into custody after what appeared to be an accelerant, possibly gasoline, was sprayed at the site.