Fire in Palermo on Guadagna Street: a dump with appliances near Bailey Bridge ablaze

Last Updated: December 12, 2023

A large column of black smoke and then flames were seen on Guadagna Street in Palermo. A large fire was started just a few meters from the Bailey bridge, near a makeshift dump. A mountain of plastic bags was surrounded by bulky waste: furniture, wooden beams, mattresses, and various appliances. The fire spread in a few minutes and caused a toxic cloud that put residents on high alert. Firefighters arrived on the scene to extinguish the flames and secure the area, causing traffic delays. In recent weeks, there have been repeated incidents of waste fires in both the city and the province, including along the Palermo-Mazara del Vallo highway and in areas such as Zen, Cinisi, Calatafimi, and via Paruta. Multiple interventions have been necessary, including threats to a ground floor residence from a fire started at a landfill.