Andrea Innocenti At dawn on Monday, shortly before 6:00 a.m., the silence of Peschiera del Garda was shattered by a sudden roar: the fire at the Bella Italia campsite had spread within hours, engulfing around twenty mobile homes and several parked cars. The blaze, which started in a busy tourist area, struck the campsite while it was open, trapping numerous guests inside.
The fire that hit the Bella Italia campsite
According to initial investigations, the flames started inside one of the bungalows and then spread to three consecutive rows, covering a total of approximately thirty residential units. The flames quickly engulfed the wooden structures, fueled by nearby LPG cylinders and parked vehicles, creating an extremely dangerous environment for rescuers.
For the benefit of those observing the scene, a slight explosion was also heard, probably caused by the contact between fire and gas.
Victims and healthcare
The provisional medical toll stands at twenty-four people rescued: one with red code, seven with yellow code , and sixteen with green code . Among the injured are one person with third-degree burns to his legs and three minors, all transported to the hospital in Peschiera del Garda.
Some guests exhibited symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, particularly a Swiss family with three children. A major emergency protocol was activated, alerting all local hospitals, although treatment ultimately remained concentrated at the local facility.
The rescue operation, between Italian firefighters and German firefighters
Twenty firefighters responded to the scene, supported by five emergency vehicles and six ambulances from Suem 118. The complexity of the fire was compounded by the presence of LPG cylinders and numerous vehicles, making the extinguishing operation particularly delicate. Surprisingly, four German firefighters on holiday in Dietzenbach, who were staying at the campsite, promptly helped put out the flames until official help arrived, demonstrating a spirit of solidarity and prompt response.
Presence of cylinders and risk of explosion
Preliminary investigations have shown that LPG cylinders, placed near the mobile homes, amplified the spread of the flames. The risk of further explosions forced rescuers to maintain a safe distance, committing additional resources to contain the fire. Although the blaze is now almost out, authorities continue to monitor the area for possible re-ignition.
Institutional declarations and acknowledgements
The President of the Veneto Regional Council, Luca Zaia, expressed his sympathy to all the injured, their families, and everyone who experienced the emergency. He extended special thanks to the Verona Fire Brigade , the Suem 118 emergency services , and, quite unexpectedly, the four German firefighters who were on vacation at the facility. "A gesture of great promptness, sense of duty, and solidarity," Zaia emphasized.
Local authorities are currently assessing the exact cause of the fire, while the facility remains closed for cleanup and reconstruction work. The campsite's owners have promised to rebuild the destroyed mobile homes and strengthen safety measures to prevent future incidents.