3 killed as attendee pours gasoline and burns a cake shop in Motosu, Japan

Three people have died following a fire and suspected stabbing at a cake shop in Motosu, Gifu Prefecture, late on Saturday night, local police said.

The blaze broke out around 9 p.m. on September 5 at the Sunrise confectionery shop (さんらいず), a two-story steel-framed building that also served as a residence. A woman inside the building made an emergency call reporting: Someone was stabbed. Gasoline was sprayed, and a fire broke out.

Firefighters extinguished the flames after about three hours. Approximately 300 square meters of the building were destroyed. Two bodies were later found in the ruins. Three other people were taken to hospital, including the 66-year-old shop owner. One of the injured, a 70-year-old man from nearby Mizuho City, later died, bringing the death toll to three.

Eleven people — the owner and her acquaintances — were inside the shop at the time. The gathering took place after closing hours and is believed to have involved the owner’s former middle-school classmates. The shop was marking its 20th anniversary.

Gifu Prefectural Police are investigating the incident as a possible case of murder and arson. Officers suspect that one of the people present may have been involved.