Early morning fire at Novate Milanese recycling plant injures custodian, black smoke visible for miles

Fire breaks out at Novate Milanese waste plant

A fire erupted at the A2A-managed ecological platform in via Fratelli Beltrami, Novate Milanese, shortly before 5 a.m. on Tuesday, 28 July. The blaze quickly consumed all material inside the facility, producing a towering column of dense black smoke that was visible for tens of kilometres. Residents posted images on social media showing the smoke darkening the early morning sky. The air in the surrounding area was described as unbreathable.

Custodian injured and hospitalised

The alarm was raised by the plant's custodian, a 54-year-old man (ANSA reports his age as 55). He suffered light burns and was transported by ambulance to the Niguarda hospital in Milan under yellow code. His condition is not considered serious. He is expected to provide a first account of what may have triggered the fire.

Firefighting and environmental response

Firefighters arrived with five vehicles, later reinforced to about ten, and began efforts to contain the flames. A spokesperson for the fire service said extinguishing the fire would take a long time. Technicians from ARPA Lombardia, the regional environmental protection agency, were deployed to monitor air quality and assess any health risks from combustion byproducts. Carabinieri were also on site to secure the area and begin an investigation.

Cause under investigation

The origin of the fire remains uncertain. Authorities are examining whether it was accidental, possibly due to a malfunction, or deliberate. The custodian's testimony is expected to be key. No further injuries have been reported.