04-06-2025
Residents evacuated as major fire breaks out at university north of Rome
The fire broke out on the roof of the university's agriculture faculty building shortly after 10am, Italian media reported.
As of mid-afternoon on Wednesday, firefighters and military officers were still struggling to contain the blaze.
#Viterbo, #incendio facoltà di agraria: proseguono le operazioni di spegnimento dall'esterno dell'edificio, #vigilidelfuoco in azione di contenimento delle fiamme che hanno coinvolto il 2° piano, oltre al tetto [ #4giugno 12:30]
— Vigili del Fuoco (@vigilidelfuoco) June 4, 2025
Everyone within 500 metres of the building, including local residents, was evacuated and those within a 1-kilometre radius instructed to close their windows to avoid inhaling smoke.
No injuries were immediately reported, though some in the vicinity were sent to Santa Rosa hospital with smoke inhalation symptoms.
A worker who was initially reported missing has since been found, La Repubblica newspaper said.
Dramatic video footage published on the paper's website showed flames engulfing the roof of the building.
The Viterbo Prosecutor's Office is reportedly waiting to receive information from the firefighters and rescue workers on the ground before opening an investigation into the cause of the fire.
According to initial reports, the roof had been undergoing renovation work by workers who were using an oxyacetylene torch for welding.
It may then have spread to chemistry and genetics laboratories where highly flammable substances including ethanol were stored.
Patrizia Marini, president of Italy's national association of agricultural institutes, RENISA, told reporters she was 'very saddened by the serious incident that has occurred in one of Italy's most important agricultural colleges.'
