Livorno waste‑plant fire forces school closures and air‑quality alerts

A large fire broke out in the early hours of 18 June 2026 at the Bogi Vinicio waste‑recovery plant on via dell’Ecologia in Livorno’s industrial zone. The blaze ignited stored mixed waste – plastics, metals and other materials – producing a thick smoke plume that was carried by wind across the northern and central parts of the city.

Livorno’s municipal protection service, the fire brigade and Arpat were on site; firefighters extinguished the flames with foam and declared the fire under control by mid‑morning. Arpat began continuous air‑quality monitoring for toxic substances such as dioxins and furans.

The municipality ordered the temporary closure of nurseries, kindergartens, primary schools and lower secondary schools, while permitting high‑school students to sit the first written part of the matura exams. Residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed, limit outdoor activity, and wash any fruit or vegetables grown locally before consumption. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.