Sessa Aurunca – A large fire that broke out late on the evening of August 28 in the Santa Maria La Piana area of Sessa Aurunca has highlighted a vast agricultural area that, according to investigations, has been transformed into a dump for various types of waste.
The flames had affected several properties and, once the extinguishing operations were completed, the Carabinieri carried out an inspection which allowed them to document the presence of a significant quantity of abandoned materials.
Firefighters from the Teano detachment responded to the scene, putting out the fire and securing the area. Subsequently, Carabinieri officers from the Cellole station and soldiers from the Sessa Aurunca Carabinieri Forestry Unit entered the scene, initiating investigations into the nature of the soil and the origin of the materials found.
Ten hectares seized
Following the investigation, an area of approximately 10 hectares was seized, containing approximately 35 cubic meters of partially burned waste.
The list of materials found paints a particularly heterogeneous picture: plastic packaging, household appliances, tires, glass, clothing and rags, mixed municipal waste, inert materials from construction and demolition activities, as well as grass cuttings and pruning residues.
The pile also contained corrugated materials presumably containing cement and asbestos, a factor that required particular attention in safety measures and further environmental assessments.
The seizure of the land and waste was ordered to allow for a more thorough environmental investigation and to verify how the materials were accumulated and managed.
Investigations into the owners of the funds
Investigators then focused their attention on the owners and those who allegedly had access to the affected land. This task was further complicated by the lack of video surveillance in the area, which prevented them from acquiring images useful for directly reconstructing the origin of the fire.
The investigation therefore focused on the situation of the land, the presence of waste, and the relationships with the people who had access to the area, with the aim of reconstructing the dynamics of the fire and identifying any responsibilities.
Three people reported
At the end of their investigation, the Carabinieri of the Cellole Station, with the support of the Sessa Aurunca Forestry Carabinieri Unit, reported three people, two men and a woman, to the judicial authorities at large.
They are a 72-year-old man, a 78-year-old woman, and a 79-year-old man, all residents of the Sessa Aurunca area. They have been charged with the alleged crimes that emerged from the investigation, while the positions of the three are currently under judicial review.
The front of environmental crimes
The operation is part of the Carabinieri's enforcement efforts to combat waste dumping and illegal waste management, with particular attention to rural areas where illegal landfills and fires can have significant environmental consequences.
In the case of Santa Maria La Piana, the investigations will now have to establish the origin of the materials, how they were accumulated on the land, and above all, the origin of the fire that brought the situation to light.
Investigations are continuing to fully reconstruct the incident and identify any further responsibilities.
As required by law, the persons reported are to be considered not guilty until a final sentence is reached.
Details on the fire and investigation in Sessa Aurunca
Here's some helpful information about the fire and the ongoing investigation in Sessa Aurunca.
- Date of fire: The fire broke out late in the evening of August 28.
- Seized area: Approximately 10 hectares of land containing waste were seized.
- Type of waste: Waste found includes plastic, household appliances, tires and materials containing asbestos.
- People reported: Three residents of Sessa Aurunca have been reported at large.
- Objective of the investigation: Determine the origin of the waste and how it is collected.
