Local News

Man charged for Rozelle blast that killed three people

The general scene of the explosion in Darling Street, Rozelle, that killed three people.

The general scene of the explosion in Darling Street, Rozelle, that killed three people.

The operator of inner western Sydney convenience store destroyed by fire earlier this month has been charged over the deaths of three people killed in the Rozelle blast

UPDATE: Police arrested 44-year-old Adeel Khan today at his hospital bedside and charged him with three counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and three counts of manslaughter.

The Greenacre man has also been charged with 17 other charges relating to damaging property, including one count of setting fire for financial gain.

The Darling Street convenience store and surrounding units were extensively damaged by an explosion and fire on September 4.

Bianka O’Brien, 31, her 11-month-old son Jude and neighbour Chris Noble, 27 died in the fire.

EARLIER: The operator of a Rozelle convenience store that exploded and killed three people has been arrested at his hospital bed.

A man believed to be the operator of a convenience store that was destroyed by fire and an explosion in Rozelle two weeks ago, claiming the lives of a man and a woman and her baby son, was arrested by NSW Police this morning in relation to the deaths.

Bianka O’Brien and her son Jude who died in the Rozelle blast.

Bianka O’Brien, 31, her 11-month-old son Jude and neighbour Chris Noble, 27, who were in the units above the store, all died in the blaze which began in the early hours of the morning on September 4. Three others were injured.

Fire & Rescue NSW personnel attended and extinguished the blaze; however, the building was extensively damaged by an explosion.

Strike Force Baracchi was established by detectives from the Property Crime Squad’s Arson Unit to investigate the fire. Police now believe the fire was deliberately lit.

Detectives arrested a man about 8.30am today, at Camperdown.

A 44-year-old Greenacre man is expected to be charged later today.

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