ALESSANDRIA – Three firefighters have been killed and three people hospitalised due to an explosion in a building in Quargnento, near Alessandria, Piedmont, says the fire brigade.

 According to a reconstruction based on the testimony of local residents, the fire brigade and carabinieri were called out after an explosion at 2 a.m. Tuesday in an unoccupied farmhouse.  This was followed by another explosion, killing three firefighters, who were aged 47, 38 and 32, reported Il Fatto Quotidiano.

 Meanwhile, two firemen and one of the carabinieri are wounded and currently in hospital in grave condition.

 Police sources say that the incident may be due to a deliberate release of gas, as preliminary investigations have found several gas cylinders inside the building.

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