An explosion occurred in the heart of Milan in the northern region of Italy on Thursday, resulting in multiple vehicles catching fire, according to the fire brigade, news agency Reuters reported. One individual suffered injuries as a result. According to Italian news outlets, it is believed that a van carrying canisters filled with oxygen gas may have been the source of the explosion.
La Repubblica, an Italian news organisation, reported that the van that ignited was transporting oxygen gas canisters at the time of the explosion. According to witnesses, the van bound for the Italian Auxological Institute had cylinders that ignited, causing a huge and forceful blast.
Afterwards, a series of events occurred in rapid succession, causing the fire to rapidly spread to other vehicles in close proximity, resembling the effect of dominoes falling.
According to reports, a minimum of five cars and four mopeds are currently on fire.
According to reports, smoke has been sighted emanating from the windows of structures along the street.
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To ensure the safety of pedestrians, the police erected cordons around the entire region. The school and nursing home in the vicinity were also cleared out as a precautionary measure, according to media reports.
The SkyTG24 TV network exhibited footage of Milan's Porta Romana district, depicting tall columns of dark smoke and firefighting personnel present on the spot.
Although the fiery vehicles were promptly put out, plumes of smoke could be observed emanating from the neighboring structures.
According to the Corriere della Sera publication, a primary school and a residential complex were obligatorily vacated.
(With Inputs From Agencies)