Night of fire and fear in Campofelice di Roccella: “Five hours in hell”

Last Updated: August 29, 2023

An enormous fire broke out in Campofelice di Roccella, near Palermo, Italy, destroying everything in its path. The fire started on a main road and quickly spread to the belvedere. Mimmo Scialabba, a resident in the area unaffected by the fire, along with other residents, helped those in need. They used buckets, pumps, and anything they could find to try to extinguish the flames. The firefighting efforts from the fire department, forestry service, and civil protection were massive, but a Chinese-managed store, a carpentry workshop, and a villa were destroyed. Scialabba emphasized the need for incentives for landowners to maintain their properties to prevent these wildfires. He also highlighted the importance of constant monitoring from authorities to ensure the safety of the community.