Fire in shop in Milan, three dead. Owner interviewed, checks on threats and 'demands for money'

Milan is still in shock over the fire that broke out last night in a warehouse, which caused the death of three people: two young cousins ​​of the owner, and an acquaintance of theirs. From the first investigations, conducted by the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office under the guidance of prosecutor Marcello Viola and PM Marina Petruzzella, a disturbing scenario emerges: the owner of the warehouse reported threats received in the past, related to the request for a sum of money.

Although there have been no previous reports of threats, statements given to investigators indicate that the matter could be more complex. Investigators are evaluating whether the fire could be of a malicious nature. At the moment, the charge of negligent arson has been hypothesized, but it is not excluded that someone started the fire intentionally.

The first analyses by the firefighters indicate that the flames developed in the initial part of the warehouse, near the entrance. The greatest damage is in fact concentrated towards the street, while in the innermost part of the building, where furniture and other objects were located, the walls are less blackened. Investigators are trying to understand whether accelerants were used to start the fire.

The victims have been identified: Liu Yindjie, 17 years old, and his brother Dong Yindan, 18 years old, both born in Arzignano (Vicenza), and Pan An, 24, born in China. All three died of smoke inhalation, with no signs of burns, and were believed to have been sleeping inside the warehouse at the time of the fire.

Liu Yindjie was found at the foot of a ladder, perhaps trying to reach a small window, the only possible escape route other than the front door. Investigators are now examining the victims' cell phones to reconstruct the last moments before the tragedy. In the meantime, autopsies will be ordered soon to confirm the cause of death.