The owner of a convenience store has been charged over an explosion in Rozelle, a suburb in the inner west of Sydney, capital of the Australian state of New South Wales, which claimed three lives. He has been charged with three counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, three counts of manslaughter and 17 charges relating to the damage of property, including one count of setting fire for a financial gain.

Police allege that the fire was lit deliberately, leading to an explosion that ripped through the store and a fire that destroyed the accused’s store and adjoining shops and apartments. Firefighters described the scene on arrival as “resembling a Hollywood production” and residents living near the store were forced to flee. Some people were forced to leap to safety from the second storey of the building.