Tokyo, July 18 (RHC)--An Animation studio in Kyoto, Japan, was hit with a major fire in a suspected act of arson that killed at least 33 people, according to Japanese national broadcaster NHK.

At least three dozen people were injured, the broadcaster said, citing fire department officials in Kyoto.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tweeted that the apparently deliberate act is "too appalling for words."

According to local media, a man reportedly burst into Kyoto Animation's building and shouted "die" as he poured out a flammable liquid. A suspect in his 40s has been taken into custody and was being treated at a local hospital, NHK reported.

"The man reportedly admitted as he was being taken to hospital that he spread the liquid around before setting it on fire," NHK reported.

The president of Kyoto Animation, Hideaki Hatta, told NHK that the studio had received threatening emails: "They were addressed to our office and sales department and told us to 'die.' "

Fire department official Satoshi Fujiwara told The Associated Press that rescue workers were discovering bodies throughout the three-story building. "Some of them were found on the stairs, where they apparently collapsed while gasping for air and trying to go out to the roof," he said, according to the wire service.