Andrea Innocenti At first light on Thursday, September 17, a sudden boom shattered the tranquility of the Collatino neighborhood in the area of Via Dino Penazzato. The explosion occurred around 7:30 a.m., just as workers were working to remove a wasp nest inside a three-story building.
The energy release caused the side façade to partially collapse, sending debris crashing onto the sidewalks and hitting two parked cars—a Citroën C1 and an Opel Corsa—as well as the truck used for pest control. No pedestrians were on the street at the time of the explosion, but a 47-year-old woman living on the third floor of the building was injured and immediately treated by emergency medical personnel.
Details of the explosion and material damage
According to initial investigations, the gas distribution network operated by Italgas was not affected by the incident. The company suggested that the contents of the gas canisters used for pest control may have leaked into the building's cavity , generating enough pressure to cause the material to explode.
The immediate consequences included the collapse of a portion of the wall, debris falling onto street furniture, and damage to two cars. The truck carrying equipment for the nest removal suffered dents but was not rendered unusable. The injured woman, who was in her third-floor apartment, suffered only minor bruises and received first aid on the scene.
Interventions by the authorities and initial hypotheses on the causes
Three patrols from the 5th Prenestino Group of the Rome Capitale local police quickly arrived on the scene, cordoning off the area and closing the stretch of Via Dino Penazzato between Via Gian Battista Valente and Via Collatina to traffic. A 21-meter by 5-meter security perimeter was set up, allowing firefighters and Italgas technicians to operate safely.
Law enforcement officials have closed traffic to allow for rescue operations and investigations. An ongoing firefighter assessment will confirm the exact cause of the explosion. Meanwhile, the initial hypothesis put forward by Italgas attributes the incident to pest control practices using gas canisters, the contents of which apparently penetrated the building's structural cavities.
References to previous incidents and expert considerations
This isn't the first time that interference with the gases used for pest control has caused an explosion in the city. Just a few days earlier, in the Pietralata neighborhood, a bee nest removal operation caused a third-floor wall to collapse, injuring two workers. Safety expert Andrea Lunerti emphasized that the use of LPG or liquid propane in enclosed spaces increases the risk of detonation, especially if the gas comes into contact with sparks or faulty electrical equipment.
Lunerti also noted that the proliferation of bees and wasps in urban areas is increasing due to the alteration of natural habitats. This makes adequate training essential for pest control professionals, avoiding the use of highly flammable substances without proper precautions.
Authorities have temporarily closed the road to allow for investigations and debris removal. Residents of the block have been asked to remain available for any witnesses and to follow the directions of emergency responders. The area will remain under surveillance until the technical inspections and reconstruction of the cavity are completed.