Fire in apartment building, three dead in Milan area. Accelerant found in son's room
An elderly couple and their 55-year-old son lost their lives in Cornaredo. 40 to 50 people were evacuated
A fire in a four-storey building caused the death of three people last night in Cornaredo, near Milan. Forty people from the building, located in via Cairoli, were evacuated, eight of whom were taken to hospital for treatment. A firefighter was also slightly injured, but was later discharged.
Losing their lives in the fire were a man and a woman, aged 88 and 82 respectively, the elderly parents of the third victim, their 55-year-old son. This was reported by the Carabinieri of the Milan Provincial Command, who are investigating the incident. The Corsico Company and the fire brigade's investigation section are on the scene and will have to ascertain the causes of the fire. The flat has been seized.
Firefighters from the Nia (Fire Investigation Unit) found traces of a flammable substance that was not compatible with the materials in the room, in the completely destroyed room of the son, Carlo Laria. A typical finding in cases of arson. In the afternoon, the Nia investigators went to the morgue, where the charred body of the 55-year-old was taken, in search of possible evidence of the same substance on his body. The hypothesis of an extreme gesture by the victim becomes the prevailing one at this point.
In total, according to investigators, between 40 and 50 people from 17 households were evacuated. 19 people were medically assessed, while eight were transported to various hospitals for checks or smoke inhalation. None were found to be in a serious condition.
According to initial reconstructions, Benito Laria, the 88-year-old man, died while trying to save his wife, Carmela Greco. According to witnesses, the elderly man had gone out onto the landing to call for help, but then re-entered the house amidst the flames to rescue his wife. Their son Carlo had already died.
