Italian firefighters battle massive fire in Naples amid controversy over delayed relief efforts

Record ID: 1949341

  • Title: Italian firefighters battle massive fire in Naples amid controversy over delayed relief efforts
  • Date: 20th June 2024
  • Summary: Italian firefighters battle massive fire in Naples amid controversy over delayed relief efforts SHOTLIST NAPLES, ITALY (JUNE 20, 2024) (AAVN – ACCESS ALL) 1. SMOKE RISING FROM BURNED AREA NEAR VILLAGE / FIRE FIGHTING VEHICLES AND FIREFIGHTERS IN FRONT OF HOUSE 2. SMOKE RISING FROM BURNED AREA 3. GOAT ROAMING AT BARN 4. SMOKE RISING FROM BURNED AREA NEAR HOUSES 5. FIREFIGHTING HELICOPTER FLYING OVER VILLAGE 6. VARIOUS OF BURNED AREA IN FOREST 7. VARIOUS OF FIREFIGHTERS SPRAYING WATER AAVN SCRIPT: Camaldoli Hill, renowned for its hermitage that overlooks Naples, Italy has been engulfed in flames, sparking controversy over the timeliness of relief efforts, according to ANSA News Agency. The fire, suspected to be malicious, started on Wednesday afternoon near the densely populated neighborhoods of Vomero and Soccavo. Despite ongoing efforts, it remains uncontained after 24 hours, burning forests and chestnut groves and threatening residential areas. ANSA says Mayor Gaetano Manfredi and Naples Prefect Michele di Bari, who activated the rescue coordination center last night, have been on site to oversee the operations. Initial firefighting efforts were hampered by a lack of available aerial resources. Helicopters battled the flames on the Soccavo side, but it wasn’t until this morning, with the deployment of three Canadair aircraft, that significant progress was made. These aircraft, along with a 9000-liter Erikson helicopter, were instrumental in combating the two primary fire fronts. Residents awoke to a city blanketed in ash and shrouded in smoke, with many unable to sleep due to the acrid air. The environmental damage is severe. Mayor Gaetano Manfredi said the wind's changing direction and the unavailability of air support at night as significant challenges. High voltage cables in the area restricted helicopter operations until the power system was secured. The delays in aerial support have prompted Avs parliamentarian Francesco Borrelli to announce a parliamentary inquiry. Despite these issues, Prefect di Bari maintains that the situation, though critical, is under control and anticipates the flames will be extinguished soon.
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  • Copyright Holder: Anadolu Agency
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