A strong fire broke out last night in the huge former Malagrotta landfill in Rome . The fire is now under control, about sixty firefighters worked all night to confine the flames and prevent them from spreading. But it will take days to tame all outbreaks.

The fire affected a solid fuel storage tank where the capital's waste is treated, two warehouses where plastic and paper are stored and a composting plant.

The dense cloud of smoke that has risen in the sky , visible from miles away, is alarming, while a very strong smell of burning has spread in the area surrounding the plant.

“In addition to the risk of dioxin released into the air, there are the adjacent gas and petrol depots that have been alerted”, is the alarm launched by the citizens' committee of the Galeria Valley.

Those who live within a kilometer radius were advised not to stay near the area, keep the windows closed, and not use the air conditioners .

The mayor instead ordered, "for a period not exceeding 48 hours, by virtue of the precautionary principle", for a radius of 6 km from the place of the fire, the suspension of school activities and summer camps, public and private; the ban on the consumption of food of animal and vegetable origin produced in the identified area; the ban on grazing and scratching of farmyard animals; the ban on the use of fodder and cereals for animals, collected in the identified area. It is also recommended to limit outdoor activities , with particular regard to those of a recreational and sporting nature and to keep the windows closed in case of persistent and foul-smelling fumes.

Mayor Roberto Gualtieri also raised the alarm on waste collection , given that the flames also affected Tmb2 which treats about 900 tons of waste per day.

“It is not only a serious accident - says the mayor -, but it constitutes a significant damage to the waste collection and disposal system in Rome, on which it will have immediate immediate consequences. 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 ".