The investigation by the Milan Prosecutor’s Office will focus on two fronts fire broke out in the workshop at number 8 of via Fra Galgario, one of the many small car repair and maintenance businesses that arise in the neighborhoods of Milan. From the causes of the fire – perhaps due to incompetence and human error, to an incorrect operation by those who were repairing a building at the time Volkswagen Polo which was in a raised position, above a bridge structure – in compliance with the security measures and fire regulations in an activity which, by its nature, is required to observe a series of rules for risk prevention.
The fire, however, spread uncontrollably and reached the upper floors, causing the death of Silvano Tollardo, Carolina De Luca and Antonio Tollardo, the couple’s 34-year-old son. Points to be clarified at the center of a consultancy that will be arranged by the deputy prosecutor of Milan Tiziana Siciliano, head of the pool that deals with health and safety at work, to identify any responsibilities.
The investigation conducted by the Investigative Unit of the Fire Brigade has been opened into the hypothesis of a crime of manslaughter and manslaughter and Fabrizio Antonio Ghiani, the 39-year-old resident of Cisliano, owner of the garage-electrician opened by his family when the year was 1981, a point of reference in the area, was entered in the register of suspects. An act also to guarantee him, to allow him to appoint a lawyer and a consultant to follow the future investigations, after the fire completely destroyed his business. The first step of the investigation, however, will beautopsy on corpses of the three victims, which will be arranged tomorrow by prosecutor Enrico Pavone, on duty when the fire broke out.
Fabrizio Ghiani is described by those who know him as a “experienced and competent” professionalas a “hard worker” who took the reins of the family company, the Ghidel sas. A small business with only one permanent employee and a circle of trusted customers resident in the area, without particular financial problems. One of the many garages that, in cities, often arise in residential areas, on the ground floor of buildings, in close contact with those who live on the upper floors.
Also for this coexistence in the same space of companies that use it flammable materials and people, a series of safety regulations must be respected. Fire extinguishers, fire planmeasures to isolate the environment in the event of accidents and prevent flames and smoke from invading other spaces, even through the“chimney” effect due to the stairwell. Then there is the regulation on the storage of tyres, which caught fire on Friday after the flammable liquid leaking from the car was the trigger.
According to the regulations, the “tire storage business” they are “subject to certification obligations, periodic checks and compliance with all existing indications in terms of fire prevention”. Furthermore, tires “must be stored away from any heat source such as ovens or boilers, but also away from acids, hydrocarbons, disinfectants and any type of petroleum derivative“.
They have been underestimated possible risks? Were the security measures adequate? These are some of the questions at the center of the consultancy that will be arranged by the Prosecutor’s Office, with investigations also made difficult by the state of the building under seizure, because the flames destroyed everything, including the documents kept in the office.
