Two dead, two intoxicated after fire engulfs top-floor apartment in Milan's Cimiano district
A fire broke out shortly after 19:30 on Saturday in a sixth-floor apartment on via Padre Placido Riccardi in Milan's Cimiano district, killing a man and a woman and leaving at least two others suffering from smoke inhalation.
The fire
A fire broke out shortly after 19:30 on Saturday, 18 July 2026, in a sixth-floor apartment at via Padre Placido Riccardi 23 in Milan's Cimiano district, on the eastern outskirts of the city. The area is also referred to as Crescenzago or Palmanova. The building is a six-story residential block, and the flames started in the top-floor unit. The apartment was home to a married couple. Thick smoke quickly spread through the stairwell, triggering an immediate alarm. The couple's son, who was not inside the building, alerted emergency services that his parents were still inside.
Victims and injuries
After firefighters extinguished the flames, they recovered the bodies of a man and a woman from the burned apartment. The two victims were the couple who lived there. The son's report helped firefighters locate the couple quickly. At least two other people suffered smoke inhalation and were treated on the scene by medical personnel. Their conditions were not immediately released. No other injuries were reported among the evacuees.
Evacuation and road closures
The entire six-story building was evacuated, and adjacent buildings were also cleared as a precautionary measure. Dozens of residents were forced to leave their homes, with many gathering on the street as emergency crews worked. Local police blocked via Padre Placido Riccardi to traffic, allowing fire trucks and ambulances unobstructed access. The road closure remained in effect throughout the evening.
Firefighting and investigation
Six fire trucks from the Milan fire command in via Messina responded to the scene. Crews worked for hours to bring the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading to neighboring apartments. The fire was eventually extinguished, but firefighters remained on site to secure the structure and begin an investigation into the cause. The exact origin of the fire has not yet been determined.
Response timeline
- Fire breaks out in sixth-floor apartment
- Emergency services alerted; son reports parents inside
- Six trucks from via Messina command reach the scene
- Building and adjacent structures evacuated; dozens displaced
- Man and woman found dead after flames extinguished
- Local police block via Padre Placido Riccardi to traffic
The alarm was raised immediately after the fire started. Firefighters arrived to find the top floor fully involved. Evacuation of the building and adjacent structures began at once. The bodies were discovered after the flames were knocked down. Local police closed the street to facilitate the ongoing operations. As of late evening, crews were still working to fully extinguish hot spots and ensure the building's safety.
