Rome’s Fiumicino Airport Reopening After Fire

Passengers wait near an information board that shows cancelled flights from Rome's Fiumicino Airport after an overnight fire that blocked passenger traffic at the airport, 7 May 2015. EPA/BGNES

Rome's main Fiumicino airport was slowly reopening on Thursday following a ‘very violent fire’ at Terminal 3 overnight, authorities said.

The fire severely damaged the terminal building, forcing the management of Italy’s busiest airport to close it and cancel or delay dozens of flights.

It remains unclear, however, when the airport will resume full-scale operations, airport authorities said. The fire, which started around midnight local time, is believed to have been caused by a short circuit in a cafe closed for maintenance, according to Vito Riggio, head of Italy’s civil aviation body ENAC.

According to police, there is no indication to suggest that the fire was the result of arson or terrorism. An investigation has been launched.

Some 39 million passengers travelled through Fiumicino last year.

At least three people suffered smoke inhalation, according to a fire brigade official. Some 500 sq m of commercial area were damaged in the incident.

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