At least 30 people killed in suspected arson attack in Japan

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A Japanese fire official says nearly 30 people are now confirmed or presumed dead in a suspected arson at a popular animation production studio in Kyoto.

Kyoto fire department official Mikihide Daikoku says 36 others have been injured, some of them critically.

Daikoku says firefighters found more than a dozen people presumed dead on the top floor of a three-story building, some of them collapsed on the stairs leading to the roof.

Authorities say 20 people have been now confirmed dead, with nearly 10 others presumed dead. The outcome makes the case the deadliest fire since a 2001 fire that killed 44 in Tokyo's Kabukicho entertainment district.

A man is suspected of starting the fire Thursday. He is among those injured in a hospital.

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7:30 p.m.

The president of a popular Japanese animation production company that was gutted in a deadly fire has said his company has received anonymous death threats.

Hideaki Hatta, head of Kyoto Animation, told reporters the company had gotten threats by emails in the past but responded "sincerely" each time.

Japanese fire officials said at least 13 people have been confirmed dead and more than 10 others were presumed dead in Thursday's suspected arson.

Hatta asked, "Why on earth did such violence have to be used?"

Japanese fire department officials said at least 13 people have been confirmed dead and more than 10 others were presumed dead in the suspected arson at the studio Thursday.

A man suspected of starting the fire Thursday was also injured and being treated in a hospital.