Hours before the explosion which claimed the lives of his wife and baby son, John O'Brien bought ice creams from the man accused of killing them.
Indeed, Sydney shop owner Adeel Khan was on "friendly terms" with the O'Brien family as well as Chris Noble, who all lived in flats above his Rozelle convenience store.
But, the crown alleges, Khan spared little thought for them when he allegedly lit up his store, causing the explosion which killed Bianka O'Brien, her one-year-old son Jude and Mr Noble.
Further details of the 44-year-old's alleged crimes were revealed during a committal hearing at Central Local Court on Wednesday for offences including three counts of murder and dishonestly destroying property by fire.
The crown says Khan's alleged victims were all regular customers at the store he is accused of setting alight at around 4am on September 4 last year.
The O'Briens shopped at his store every two to three days - John had bought two ice-creams from him in the hours before the blaze, the crown states.
Mr Noble and his flatmates Todd Fisher and Corey Cameron also regularly went to the store to collect their mail.
In the aftermath of the explosion, Khan was found trapped under a fridge calling for help while hours later Mr Noble, 27, was pulled from under a collapsed metal roof in his upstairs flat.
The next day, Bianka O'Brien, 31, was found lying on top of Jude.
The crown alleges Khan was in financial stress - owing $8800 rent, as well as almost $10,000 to AGL and another $3000 to a supplier.
His wife's accounts were overdrawn by more than $1700 and insurance for the store's contents had been upped in the months prior to the blaze from $170,000 to $225,000.
When Khan was found by firefighters he had a carbon fibre breathing mask in his pocket and petrol was later discovered on his clothing and shoes.
A red 10-litre fuel container was also uncovered in his car, while two lighters were lying near him and an "elaborate set up of petrol fuel loads" were found inside the store, the crown says.
Mr Noble and his flatmates were awoken by the explosion, as fire and smoke surrounded them and pieces began falling to the ground.
Mr Noble yelled out "I'm coming" as the pair jumped onto the street not realising the 27-year-old was not behind them.
Mr Cameron could hear Mr Noble yelling "f***, f***" from inside, the crown statement reveals.
The following morning Mr Noble's mother found a text message from him sent at 4.08am saying "I love you".
John O'Brien had left for work just 20 minutes before the explosion hit.
"It was the accused who laid out the petrol fuel loads and wicks ... and that he did so with the intention of causing a fire that would allow him to make a claim against his insurance policy," crown prosecutor Katharine Jeffreys alleged on Wednesday.
The matter will return to court on Thursday where it is expected Khan will be committed to stand trial.
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