The Ponte dell’Industria in the Italian capital across the Tiber has been badly damaged. The cause of the fire has not yet been clarified.
Rome – An important bridge in Rome was badly damaged in a fire. On Sunday night, parts of the Ponte dell’Industria – known only as the Ponte di Ferro (iron bridge) in the Italian capital – went up in flames.
Part of the bridge that connects the two districts of Ostiense and Portuense gave way due to the heat of the fire, collapsed and fell into the Tiber. The cause of the fire was initially unclear on Sunday. A cable fire may have occurred in the lines on the side of the bridge.
The spectacular partial collapse can be seen on amateur video recordings. The main part of the bridge with the carriageway remained standing. The bridge is close to popular nightlife areas – no one was injured, according to the authorities.
The 131 meter long bridge was built between 1862 and 1863 as a railway bridge over the river and for that time an architectural masterpiece made of metal. “It breaks our hearts to see a piece of history damaged in this way,” said Mayor Virginia Raggi. Because of the fire, the electricity and gas supply in parts of the city was temporarily interrupted. dpa
