ROME. It is an apocalyptic scenario that is presented this morning to the inhabitants of the Ostiense district of Rome. A part of the Ponte dell’Industria collapsed, pedestrian and vehicular traffic is forbidden (in addition to navigation on the stretch of the Tiber river) and the heat of the flames could have completely compromised the stability of the structure. Several times in the past the deterioration around the Iron Bridge had also obstructed the circulation in correspondence with the makeshift accommodations where homeless people have long since found shelter among mattresses thrown among the brambles and waste. Three locals were evacuated. The first patrol that intervened was the Carabinieri of the Trastevere company which was accidentally there in transit.
Forbidden traffic
The circulation of cars and pedestrians is prohibited on the Ponte dell’Industria, in the Ostiense area, in Rome, which was hit by a fire late yesterday evening. The cycle / pedestrian passage was also damaged. The closure was necessary because the heat of the flames deformed part of the passage for pedestrians and the cycle path. Checks and checks on the stability of the structure are in progress. Parts of the Ponte dell’Industria collapsed as a result of the fire that broke out for over an hour. Eventually the firefighters managed to put out the flames and found several homeless camps. The fire seems to have originated from the shacks, makeshift lodgings, which were located under the bridge.
Without electricity and gas
There are about 180 families still without electricity, utilities and gas due to the fire. In the meantime, the investigations of the carabinieri continue to ascertain the causes of the fire and the checks by the firefighters on the structure that is still partially accessible. The local police of Roma Capitale are also on site for traffic. Part of the bridge collapsed. Firefighters should check before making any decisions about the future of the facility. The heat, in fact, could have completely compromised its stability. The Port Authority of Rome Fiumicino has issued an urgent order with measures to prohibit navigation, transit and parking of a stretch of the Tiber at the Iron Bridge. To be forbidden to transit 150 meters upstream and 150 meters downstream from the bridge.
Utilities in tilt
“I have been monitoring the situation at the Iron Bridge all night together with the firefighters. The first concern now is to guarantee utilities for the entire quadrant. A symbolic place in our city was injured. Among the first tasks of the mayor who will be elected there will be to restore an asset such as the Ponte dell’Industria, not only for the engineering structure but also for what it represents on a historical level “, says the minis mayor of the eighth municipality of Rome, Amedeo Ciaccheri.
Fear
So, fear last night in Ostiense, one of the nightlife areas in Rome. The Ponte dell’Industria, known by all as the “Iron Bridge”, burned down and some parts collapsed into the Tiber. Now, for that stretch of the river, the Port Authority of Fiumicino has banned navigation. According to initial investigations, the flames may have spread from some shacks located under the bridge, as already happened in 2013, albeit with minor consequences. The fire has been extinguished and there are no people involved. On the spot the mayor Raggi: «It tightens the heart to see a piece of history reduced like this». The center-left candidate for mayor Roberto Gualtieri was also on site.
Collapse
The area was left without electricity, gas and water. In the aftermath of the fire that damaged the Ponte dell’Industria in Rome, better known as the Iron Bridge in the Ostiense area, the firefighters and city brigades remain to guard the area, surrounded by barriers. In dribs and drabs, curious people and inhabitants of the area arrive, incredulous at what has happened. Those who take pictures with their mobile phones, those who say they saw from the window of their home the moment when a piece collapsed into the Tiber. “I can’t believe it – says Marco, with his hands folded over his face – I pass every day, it hurts to see him like that”. A group of marathon runners stops their race. “What a sad sight – they say – Who knows if it will become viable again”.