Wildfire threatens homes in Taormina, mayor suspects arson

A wildfire is affecting the Zappulla district of Taormina, Sicily. The flames spread from an area near a nursing home and continued along the first rockfall gallery of Via Garipoli, the main access road from the A18 motorway to Taormina. The fire threatens several homes. Access to some streets in the area has been blocked starting from the Arco dei Cappuccini. Firefighters and local police are on site. Mayor Cateno De Luca wrote on Facebook that the situation in contrada Zappulla is truly tragic, that a firefighting helicopter has arrived, and they are waiting for a Canadair. He stated it appears to be a deliberately set fire.