A major fire broke out on Wednesday at the Rambla Beach lido in Maccarese, a popular resort town on Rome's northern coastline, forcing evacuations as flames spread from the kitchen to engulf the entire beachfront structure.
The blaze erupted in broad daylight in front of hundreds of bathers, sending a column of dark smoke visible for kilometres. Flames reportedly originated in the kitchen area before spreading to nearby thatched-roof cabanas and the rest of the complex. Two people were treated for smoke inhalation, though other assessments indicated no injuries.
Five fire crews were deployed to the scene on Via di Praia a Mare, joined by 118 emergency medical personnel and local police. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.