Bartolini depot fire engulfs Milan's Bovisa district

A large fire broke out in the Bartolini (BRT) logistics depot in the Bovisa area of Milan on the evening of 27 April. The blaze quickly generated a dense black smoke plume that was visible for kilometres, prompting the city to advise residents to keep windows closed within a two‑kilometre radius and to avoid consuming fruit and vegetables grown locally. No injuries or poisoning were reported.

Firefighters worked for more than twelve hours, eventually extinguishing about 95 % of the flames and preventing the fire from reaching nearby fuel stores. Two containers holding electric bicycles continued to burn, raising concerns about lithium‑battery explosions, so crews kept cooling the vehicles. The Milan prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the cause, which appears accidental, and unions are demanding safety checks and job protections for workers. The depot remains structurally damaged and the affected zone is still inaccessible while cleanup continues.