Naples, fire destroys Sannazaro Theatre. Four intoxicated, two firefighters injured

A major fire broke out at the historic Sannazaro Theatre in central Naples, engulfing the venue located on the ground floor of a building in Via Chiaia. Thick columns of smoke billowed from the site, drawing panic and leaving residents to shelter indoors with wet handkerchiefs pressed to their faces. According to initial indications from investigators, the fire may have been caused by arson. The provincial commander of the Naples Fire Brigade, Giuseppe Paduano, explained that the damage is extensive and that the theatre has unfortunately been completely compromised. When asked what remains of the structure, Paduano stated that very little is left.

Emergency medical services responded to the scene, establishing a post to treat four individuals for smoke intoxication. The patients were transported to the hospital by 118 emergency services under yellow codes, though their conditions do not cause concern. No burn injuries were reported during the incident.

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Firefighters faced hazardous conditions while bringing the main blaze under control and extinguishing lingering outbreaks. Two firefighters were slightly injured during operations after the attic of a house adjacent to the theatre collapsed. Amid the ongoing work, preliminary technical surveys circulating among insiders estimate that the material damage caused by the destruction of the temple of Neapolitan comedy is between 60 and 70 million euros.

Local authorities moved swiftly to secure the surrounding area. Mayor Gaetano Manfredi visited the site and confirmed that an evacuation order was issued for 22 flats affected by the fire, noting that not all of the spaces are inhabited, as some serve as professional offices. Municipal social services were deployed to evaluate whether support is needed for displaced residents.

Structural failures and tragic accidents have plagued the Naples region in recent years, drawing intense scrutiny and regional grief. A residential tragedy occurred when a raised passageway and balconies collapsed at the Vela Celeste housing estate in Scampia, resulting in two fatalities and numerous injuries. Prosecutors in Naples opened an investigation into the cause of the collapse. That structural failure forced the evacuation of roughly 800 remaining residents from the deprived housing block, which had been slated for demolition under urban regeneration plans.

Further compounding regional devastation, a mountain cable car cabin plunged near Naples at Mount Faito, killing four people and leaving another extremely serious. Officials confirmed that the victims were three passengers and the driver, while 16 other stranded passengers were rescued from a secondary cabin on the line. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed sincere condolences to the families affected by the tragedies.

Investigators continue to sift through the charred ruins of the Sannazaro Theatre to determine the exact sequence of events that sparked the blaze once the final outbreaks are fully extinguished. Municipal authorities remain focused on housing displaced residents and ensuring structural safety in the adjoining Via Chiaia buildings before allowing families to return to their homes.