A serious fire has broken out on the outskirts of Rome. Several residential buildings and a holiday center had to be evacuated after a warehouse was engulfed in flames and stored liquid gas cylinders exploded.
The fire service also reported burning campers. Some people had to be taken to Gemelli Hospital for smoke inhalation. A plume of black smoke could also be seen from far above Italy’s capital. The wind blew ashes into the city center.
The flames also raged in the Ponte di Nona neighborhood in southern Rome. Through the intervention of the fire brigade, several sheds were saved from destruction, one of which was used as a kennel. 20 puppies could be rescued.
Numerous fires and prolonged drought
Fires don’t just flare up in Rome. In the north of the Adriatic port city of Bari, a pine forest was completely destroyed by the flames. A fire with a total area of 150 hectares has been raging there since Sunday: two Canadair fire trucks were also involved in the extinguishing work.
Hectares of Mediterranean scrub and scrub went up in smoke because of dozens of fires around Palermo. Emilia Romagna is also affected: several fires raged in the province of Ravenna, while near Arezzo the forests of the villages of Bivignano are burning.
Italy is experiencing its worst drought in years in the blistering heat. The Italian irrigation authority ANBI sounded the alarm on Thursday, warning that the country was heading for a “dramatic” ecological and economic situation given the expected peak temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius for the end of June and the worst drought in recent years. Due to the lack of rain, rivers and reservoirs have dried up. Italy’s longest river, the Po, has been hit by its worst drought in about 70 years.
People called on to save water
In many cities, people have been asked to reduce water consumption. Several fountains were shut down in Milan. Exceptions are those in which plants and animals occur. The small fountains on the sidewalks, from which drinking water flows, also remained open due to the rising heat wave. However, the city no longer irrigates green spaces.
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.
