Renovation sparks fire at Italian university lab storing ethanol and gas cylinders VIDEO

A major fire has broken out at the University of Riello in Viterbo, a city approximately 100 kilometres north of Rome, local La Repubblica newspaper reports.

The blaze reportedly began on the roof of the Faculty of Agriculture, where renovation work was underway, including welding operations. It quickly spread to a laboratory situated within the building, which housed 500 litres of ethanol and several nitrogen gas cylinders — materials that likely exacerbated the fire's intensity.

Emergency services are actively responding, and the area has been cordoned off by police. Authorities have urged local residents to keep their windows closed as thick black smoke has been seen billowing into the sky and is visible from several kilometres away.

One of the workers involved in the renovation efforts has been reported missing, and search efforts are ongoing. Fortunately, according to initial reports, no university staff or students have been injured.

The affected university building is located on Via San Camillo De Lellis, close to the Court of Viterbo.

 By Tamilla Hasanova