Milan fire: Bartolini logistics depot ablaze, trucks explode, black smoke blankets city
A large fire broke out at a Bartolini courier depot in Milan's Bovisa district on Wednesday evening, sending a towering column of black smoke across the city. No injuries have been reported, but parked trucks exploded and firefighting operations remain complex.
Fire breaks out at logistics depot
A large fire broke out on Wednesday evening, 8 July, inside a Bartolini courier depot at via Don Giovanni Minzoni 10 in Milan's Bovisa district. The flames started in one of the two central warehouses and quickly spread to a parking area where several trucks exploded. The office building was not affected. The cause of the blaze remains unknown, and as of late evening the fire was still active.
Firefighting and environmental response
At least five fire brigade vehicles are on site, with operations described as very complex. ARPA Lombardia, the regional environmental protection agency, dispatched its base team to assess the situation and alerted its weather service to track wind patterns. The atmospheric contamination unit is on standby to install a high-volume air sampler if needed. Firefighters are working to prevent the flames from spreading to adjacent structures.
Smoke blankets the city
A towering column of black smoke rose from the depot, visible for several kilometers and drifting across multiple neighborhoods. The smoke enveloped several city districts, and residents reported a strong odor and clouds of smoke invading the Bovisa area. Social media users shared images and videos of the fire, with many expressing alarm at the scale of the blaze. One local resident told Adnkronos that the smoke clouds were very high and the smell was extremely strong, adding that after more than an hour the situation had slightly improved.
Sequence of events
The fire started in the early evening, sending a column of black smoke into the sky. Within minutes, flames reached the parking area, causing parked trucks to explode. Firefighters arrived with at least five vehicles and began complex containment operations. ARPA Lombardia's team was dispatched to monitor air quality. After more than an hour, a resident reported that the situation had slightly improved.
- Fire breaks out in one of the central warehouses at the Bartolini depot.
- Flames spread to parking area, causing parked trucks to explode.
- At least five fire brigade vehicles begin complex containment operations.
- Regional environmental agency team arrives to assess air quality and monitor wind patterns.
- Resident reports slight improvement in smoke and smell conditions.
No casualties reported
As of the latest updates, no injuries or intoxications have been recorded. No evacuations have been ordered. Firefighters continue working to contain the blaze, and authorities have not yet determined the cause.
