Feb 17 • 07:12 UTC 🇮🇹 Italy La Repubblica

Naples, fire in Chiaia: the Sannazaro Theatre is also involved

A large fire broke out in Naples' Chiaia district, damaging the historic Sannazaro Theatre and causing its dome to collapse.

A significant fire erupted in the Chiaia neighborhood of Naples during the night, leading to extensive damage to the Sannazaro Theatre, a beloved historic venue in the city. The flames quickly consumed the theatre's dome, which subsequently collapsed into the audience area, marking a tragic moment for local culture. Firefighters from several districts, including Mostra d’Oltremare and Scampia, responded to the emergency with multiple teams on-site to combat the blaze.

Amid the chaos, Lara Sansone, the theatre's owner and artistic director, arrived and was devastated to learn about the destruction of the venue, which has historical significance and was closely associated with the actress Luisa Conte. The fire, which made the air unbreathable, illustrates the ongoing risks that such historic buildings face. Authorities are continuing their efforts to extinguish the fire with added support from nearby areas, including a fire engine coming from Caserta.

As the community comes to terms with the loss of a key landmark, the situation raises concerns about fire safety measures for historic structures in densely populated urban areas. This incident highlights the vulnerability of cultural heritage sites and may prompt discussions on enhancing protections to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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