Flames in the former Malagrotta landfill in Rome.
A large fire also affected a solid fuel storage tank, one of the plants where waste is treated in the capital.
According to the firefighters, present with eight teams to put out the flames, the fire has also spread to at least a couple of sheds where paper and plastic are stored and a composting plant.
A dense column of smoke rose skyward, visible from miles away, and a strong smell of burning spread around the plant.
The plant operators gave the alarm.
The citizens' committee of the Galeria Valley launched the dioxin danger: "In addition to the dioxin risk released in the
air - they denounce on Facebook - there are the adjacent gas and petrol depots that have been alerted.
Waste is stored inside the shed.
The firefighters say to close the windows or move away for those who are about a kilometer away. "The causes of the fire, which also affected the gasifier for years inactive, are still to be ascertained: once the flames have been put out, the police surveys they will help to clarify the origin and exclude any possible fraud. Also to be clarified any repercussions on the waste cycle of the capital already severely tested by a chronic shortage of plants. Even if the Malagrotta landfill no longer serves Rome, it was closed by the mayor Ignazio Marino, the plants present, owned by the E.Giovi company, serve the capital by treating up to over 1200 tons of waste a day, 8.
100 per week.
Fundamental numbers for the already fragile waste cycle in Rome that prompted the mayor Roberto Gualtieri to decide on the construction of a waste-to-energy plant to make the capital autonomous and efficient.
GUALTIERI: 'EFFECTS ON WASTE COLLECTION'
The large-scale fire that broke out today in Malagrotta for reasons still to be ascertained by the authorities, is unfortunately also affecting Tmb2, which treats 900 tons of waste per day.
"The fire of the Tmb is not only a serious accident, but constitutes a significant damage to the waste collection and disposal system in Rome, on which it will have immediate immediate consequences", declared the Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri.
"We are already working to relocate the quantities treated by the damaged plant as soon as possible and direct them to other treatment plants and subsequent outlets"
