Three buildings at the Ortomercato Milano were consumed by flames during the early hours of 20 March, according to reports
A large fire has apparently caused extensive damage to buildings at Ortomercato Milano, the main fresh produce wholesale market in Milan.
Reports in Milano Today and Fruitbook Magazine suggest the three structures involved belonged to a fruit and veg distribution company called L’Orto di Jack.
In October 2023, L’Orto di Jack acquired Gala Fruit, a long-standing wholesale company owned by the Catalano family and based at the Ortomercato. A source close to the family told Fruitnet: “It’s a disaster, they have lost everything.”
As reported by Corriere Ortofrutticolo, flames engulfed over 2,500 square metres of the market, damaging three warehouses and causing roofs partially to collapse. No injuries have been reported.
According to the newspaper, the fire started just before 1am in a storage area and was eventually brought under control by firefighters, who stopped the flames from spreading.
An official investigation has been launched to establish the cause of the blaze.
