ROME, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- A fire broke out early Tuesday in the Chiaia district of Naples, southern Italy, severely damaging the historic Teatro Sannazaro and causing several residents to be hospitalized for smoke inhalation, local media reported.
According to local newspaper Corriere della Sera, the blaze erupted at dawn and quickly spread through much of the theater, destroying its dome and affecting a nearby residential building. Parts of the historic venue are made of wood, which contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. Thick smoke was visible from a distance, including along the city's waterfront area.
At least four residents were taken to hospital as a precaution after reporting breathing difficulties, and some nearby inhabitants temporarily left their homes as smoke filled the neighborhood.
Multiple firefighting teams were deployed to contain the blaze, while police have launched an investigation into its cause. Preliminary information from investigative sources suggested a possible electrical short circuit, though authorities have yet to confirm the exact origin. ■