An explosion at a fuel depot operated by Eni on the outskirts of Florence left two people dead and three others missing on 9 December. The Italian energy major said a fire broke out at around 10:30 local time at the fuel storage facility in Calenzano and that the fire brigade was working to extinguish the flames. Emergency services attended the scene and treated several people with injuries including nine who were rushed to local hospitals.
The fire and explosion occurred in an area of the facility where tanker trucks are loaded with fuel. Eni said there was no risk to the fuel tanks at the depot. The local fire brigade said in a statement that nine of its teams were engaged in controlling the blaze having arrived at the scene shortly after 10:30.
Locals were told to stay indoors while firefighters tackled the blaze which was reportedly extinguished after a couple of hours. A thick column of black smoke could be seen rising from the site throughout the day.
The local prosecutor’s office has already announced that an investigation would be carried out immediately to determine the cause behind the incident. Eni has said that the cause and impacts of the fire would be verified immediately with further updates to be published in due course.
