Prison fire in Viterbo leaves 23 people including six guards hospitalised after suspected inmate arson

A fire broke out in the precautionary section of the Casa Circondariale di Mammagialla in Viterbo on the evening of Saturday 25 July 2026. Thick smoke forced the immediate evacuation of the entire special unit and reached the prison infirmary.

Casualties and medical response

Ares 118, the regional emergency service, deployed five vehicles (two medical cars and four ambulances) to the scene. The final tally confirmed by the service says 23 people were transported to hospital, including six penitentiary police officers involved in the rescue operations. One inmate was admitted under code red to Viterbo hospital, while six other detainees were classified as code yellow. Inside the facility, one more inmate remained under code yellow and nine under code green.

Cause and early reconstructions

Initial reconstructions cited by Rai news and other outlets indicate the fire was set deliberately by some detainees. Open reported that the incident followed a revolt inside the prison.

Emergency protocol activation

As the blaze spread, the Nucleo Maxiemergenze (Mass Emergency Unit) was activated, together with the Maxiemergenza Plan. An Advanced Medical Post (PMA) was set up at Orte, and hospitals in the area were placed on pre‑alert under their PEIMAF protocols (internal plans for mass casualty influx). Rescuers also evaluated a shuttle relay between the prison and Viterbo hospital to manage transfers safely.

Aftermath

The emergency was declared concluded later in the evening and all five Ares 118 vehicles left the site.