A fire in a partially closed waste processing plant in Rome caused heavy smoke development on Thursday evening. Firefighters were on duty overnight to extinguish the flames in a large area in western Rome, city officials said. The fire is said to have started in a warehouse containing a waste-processing gasifier that has reportedly been inactive for some time.
A pungent smell of plastic spread through the area. Authorities examined the air for possible contaminants. A kindergarten not far from the landfill will remain closed on Thursday. Residents have been asked to keep windows closed. It is believed that plastic caught fire. A plume of black smoke could be seen from afar. The extinguishing work is still in full swing, 70 firefighters are on duty, Italian media report. So far there have been no injuries.
Roman mayor Roberto Gualtieri warned that the fire could negatively affect the capital’s already problematic waste management. “The fire is not only a serious incident but also represents significant damage to Rome’s waste collection and disposal system,” Gualtieri said.
In the crossfire of criticism
“We are already working to move the treated quantities in the damaged facility as quickly as possible and deliver them to other sewage treatment plants and subsequent customers,” said the city manager, who was elected in October. The mayor has repeatedly come under fire from criticism due to the problems with waste processing.
Rome has been dealing with significant waste disposal problems for years. In 2017, the city disposed of 70,000 tons at the waste incineration plant in Dürnrohr near Zwentendorf (Tulln district). This generated electricity for 170,000 households in the region and district heating for St. Pölten. The export of Roman waste to Austria was stopped at the end of 2017.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
