Kyoto, Japan - 19 July, 2019 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Building of animation studio after fire
2. Various of firefighters at fire scene
3. Tape
4. Firefighters
5. Flowers in memory of victims
6. Various of mourners walking
7. Various of charred building, firefighters at site
8. Various of broken windows, destroyed stairway inside building of animation studio
9. Markers placed at site
10. Damaged building
11. Firefighters, investigators

The death toll from an animation studio fire in Kyoto, Japan on Friday has risen to 34, according to the local police.

Kyoto police on Friday confirmed another male victim, bringing the death toll to 34.

The fire injured 35 others, including the suspect, and only six people managed to escape.

The blaze engulfed the three-story building of the Kyoto Animation Co. at around 10:35 Thursday. Police has described the incident as arson and murder.

According to the police, Shinji Aoba, a 41-year-old man, has been identified as the suspect, who has admitted it and said he "set the gasoline on fire."

Aoba was wearing a red t-shirt and blue jeans when he was controlled by the police. He was reportedly spotted twice in the vicinity of the animation studio before he set the fire.

The man was sentenced to three years and a half in prison in 2012 for robbing a convenience store. The suspect, according to sources with knowledge of the matter, has also been treated for mental health issues and has been living on welfare.

It is reported that the large spiral staircase leading the first floor to the third floor in the building made it easy for the flames to spread.

According to Japanese media reports, experts from the disaster prevention system research institute of Japan said that a large amount of smoke formed after the fire broke out and the fire spread very quickly, contributing to the heavy casualties.