GIFU, Japan - Two people were found dead and another later died at a hospital after a fire broke out at a cake shop in the central Japanese prefecture of Gifu on Saturday night, police said, adding that they are investigating the incident as a suspected case of murder and arson.
At around 9 p.m. on Saturday, a person in the building in Motosu made an emergency call reporting that a stabbing had occurred and that someone had spread gasoline on the premises, according to the police. The incident took place outside business hours.
While two people were found dead at the scene, the 66-year-old woman who runs the shop and two men were taken to hospital. One of the men, aged 70, was later pronounced dead, according to the police.
The shop is located in a two-story building that also includes a residence.
The fire broke out when the woman was hosting a gathering in the building with 10 acquaintances. The police suspect the culprit was one of those present.
