Italian media report that a fire in a care home in Milan has killed six residents. 81 others are in hospital. The fire brigade was called at 01:20 on 7 July. The fire started in a bedroom and smoke spread rapidly through the three story building.

There are no requirements to fit sprinklers in care homes in Italy, unlike in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the UK. Experience from the USA has shown that sprinkler systems can reduce fire deaths in care homes by over 80% and prevent incidents of multiple fire deaths. Research in Belgium and The Netherlands has shown that sprinklers can help to prevent smoke spread in buildings.

Working with partners, the EFSN is about to set up an organisation in Italy to campaign for improved fire safety with sprinklers, especially in buildings such as care homes where residents are often unable to evacuate without assistance.