A thick column of black smoke invaded the Venetian sky this Friday morning. In question, a fire which started in a chemical factory in the industrial zone of Marghera, located about ten kilometers from the historic center of Venice. The city's municipality immediately launched an alert to the inhabitants of Venice and its surroundings, inviting them to close their windows and stay at home. In Marghera, residents were also invited to spread a wet cloth over the windowsills of their closed windows.
Until the early afternoon, eight teams of firefighters were mobilized to contain the flames. The fire was finally brought under control around 2 p.m. and the alarm was raised. Traffic has resumed and authorities are awaiting air quality readings, according to local media.
Two people were injured in the fire, including one in serious condition, according to Italian media.
