Police suspect arson as residential area of Rome burns

Rome’s Monte Mario residential area has been ravaged by fire.
The blaze raged close to the Villa Madama complex a place where Italian prime ministers often host international guests.
Firefighters managed to put out the blaze before the flames destroyed a well-known statue of the Virgin Mary, which overlooks the Stadio Olympico home to football clubs Roma and Lazio.
Police are investigating a possible arson attack.

Witnesses claim the fire was ignited at around 10am CET.

The Monte Mario blaze comes 24 hours after three people died in Rome as a result of fire.

On Tuesday the capital was hit by 60 wildfires as Italy swelters in a heatwave.

Nationwide as many a 158 blazes have been reported across the centre and south of the country.

Police were called to probe the cause of the fire in Monte Mario by national forest guards who suspect arson.

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