Scafati, investigation into fire at waste storage site

Scafati – While waiting for the Arpac surveys on the level of air pollution in the peripheral area bordering Scafati, Angri and Santa Maria la Carità: the damage is being counted after the large fire that broke out yesterday morning in the waste storage plant of S.EN.ECA srl, in via Ferraris, on the outskirts of the city.

The Nocera Inferiore Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into the causes and management of the plant, which has been heavily criticized on social media. The flames, which started inside a warehouse, quickly engulfed tons of waste, including plastic materials, generating a dense column of black smoke that raised alarm over the risk of dioxin and environmental contamination.

One person was burned in the fire, while two firefighters were intoxicated during the extinguishing operations. Six families were evacuated as a precaution: among them, an elderly bedridden man, transferred by ambulance to a relative's house.

The fire brigade teams, who intervened with four tankers from the Nocera Inferiore and Salerno detachments, worked for hours in an attempt to tame the flames and contain the spread of the fire.

Environmental alarm and first measures

Arpac technicians arrived on site and performed environmental surveys to assess the possible presence of toxic substances in the air and surrounding land. The results will be essential to understanding the environmental impact of the fire, especially considering the combustion of potentially dangerous materials.

As a precaution, Mayor Pasquale Aliberti signed an ordinance requiring residents within a two-kilometer radius of the fire to close their doors and windows, turn off their ventilation and air conditioning systems, and prohibit the consumption of fruit and vegetables harvested after the fire. Grazing is prohibited, and unprotected waters are prohibited for drinking.

Other mayors of the area, including the mayor of Angri Cosimo Ferraioli, also invited citizens to stay at home and limit outdoor activities.

Investigations ongoing

The origin of the fire remains to be clarified. Investigators are not ruling out any hypothesis at the moment, not even malicious. An emergency technical table has been convened at the Prefecture to coordinate interventions and monitor the evolution of the situation.

The plant on Via Ferraris, the epicenter of the fire, is managed by the company S.EN.ECA srl. Attention remains very high, while citizens await answers on the extent of the pollution and any consequences for public health.