World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Woman dies in apartment fire in Milan as police investigate cause
Rosalba Persico died in a fire at her Milan home on Monday, in the city’s Vigentino district.
Reports give her age as either 83 or 84, and say she had a disability.
The fire broke out in her second-floor apartment in a building on Via Bottoni, and firefighters could not revive her after bringing her outside.
The building was evacuated, and seven residents were treated after breathing smoke; none were reported to be in serious condition.
A fire had also damaged the same building on October 11, but police have not established whether the latest fire was accidental or deliberate.
Residents have accused a neighbor, who was taken to a police station for checks, but investigators have not confirmed any involvement or imposed a measure against him.
An 83- or 84-year-old woman, Rosalba Persico, died after a fire broke out in her apartment in Milan’s Vigentino district on October 26.
The fire started in an apartment on the second floor of a building on Via Bottoni.
Firefighters evacuated the building, and seven residents were reported to have suffered smoke inhalation.
Police are investigating whether the fire was accidental or deliberately set.
Some residents suspect a neighbour, who was taken to police headquarters for checks, but investigators have not established whether he was involved.
- Who
- Rosalba Persico, an elderly woman with a disability, died. Seven residents were reported to have suffered smoke inhalation.
- What
- A fire broke out in her apartment and she died despite rescue efforts. Police are investigating its cause.
- When
- Monday, October 26, 2026, at about 12:45 to 13:00.
- Where
- A second-floor apartment on Via Bottoni in Milan’s Vigentino district.
- Why
- The cause is under investigation; police are assessing whether the fire was accidental or deliberate.
Residents who suspect deliberate fire
Police investigating, without a determined cause
Cause of fire
Residents who suspect deliberate fire
Some residents suspect a neighbour and connect the fire to other incidents in the building.
Police investigating, without a determined cause
Investigators are checking accounts and evidence to establish whether the fire was deliberate or accidental.
Neighbour's involvement
Residents who suspect deliberate fire
Residents pointed to a neighbour, who was taken to police headquarters for checks.
Police investigating, without a determined cause
His involvement has not been established, and no measure against him was reported.
A fire broke out in the same building, affecting the ceiling and prompting an evacuation; five people were taken to hospital.
Residents reported a fire in Persico’s second-floor apartment on Via Bottoni.
Firefighters evacuated the building and tried to resuscitate Persico after removing her from the apartment, but she died.
Police began investigating the cause and took a resident to police headquarters for checks.
- Victim
- Rosalba Persico; reported as 83 by Corriere Milano and 84 by MilanoToday
- Location
- Via Bottoni, Vigentino district, Milan
- Fire location
- Second floor of a residential building
- Reported smoke inhalation
- Seven residents
- Investigation
- Police are checking whether the fire was accidental or deliberate
- Earlier fire
- October 11, 2026, in the same building
3 sources
Rosalba Persico è morta per un incendio nel suo appartamento a Milano. I vicini: “È doloso”. Indaga la polizia
Milano, incendio in casa al Vigentino: muore un'anziana disabile, sette intossicati. L'ombra del dolo: residente in Questura
Inquilino appicca rogo nel palazzo: muore donna di 84 anni. I vicini: “Sapevamo sarebbe successo”
What people are saying
I saw death face to face, my eyes were streaming, I opened my door and a firefighter saved me
I looked out and all the stairs were already filled with black smoke. We couldn't get out. We were trapped. Luckily the firefighters arrived quickly and saved us
I want to thank those who intervened, starting with the caretaker, who was the first to try to help with the fire extinguisher