A fire in a migrant shantytown near Foggia destroyed around 200 shacks. One woman was injured and about 400 migrants were left homeless. The authorities are setting up a temporary tent camp for them.
The fire broke out during the night between Monday and Tuesday in a large migrant encampment in the countryside between San Severo and Rignano Garganico near Foggia in Puglia region.
Fireman and police worked to put out the flames and the authorities removed several gas canisters and secured the area.
There have been various fires in shantytowns around Foggia recently. They were almost always caused by a short circuit due to the massive presence of illegal power hookups or by sparks from fires lit by migrants to keep warm.
The encampment was dismantled in March 2017 but the migrants gradually returned and built new makeshift shelters.
One woman injured
One person was reportedly injured in the fire -- the African woman aged 35 to 40 suffered burns to her arm. The woman was treated in hospital.
Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire, which may have been a case of arson.
About 400 migrants were left homeless after the fire out of an estimated 1,000 living in the shantytown. To help those left homeless, the FLAI CGIL union of Foggia called for donations through its Facebook profile. "We need a bit of everything, from basic food items like bread, milk, biscuits, and fruit juice to clothes and heavy blankets," said Daniele Iacovelli from the Foggia branch of the union. He added that "anyone can bring blankets and clothes to our office in Via della Repubblica."
Migrant tent camp to be set up
A special committee of the Foggia prefect's office has decided to set up a 500-bed tent camp in the Rignano Garganico area in the coming days. Prefect Raffaele Grassi has asked the interior ministry for assistance for the camp, which will be set up by the civil protection unit of the Puglia regional government.
The San Severo town council is planning to distribute meals in collaboration with the Puglia regional government.