Blast struck in Piana del Sole district to the west of the Italian capital.A powerful explosion completely destroyed a three-storey residential building in Rome in Sunday, leaving two people in their 80s critically injured and forcing dozens of residents from their homes.The blast struck at around 13.00 in the Piana del Sole district in the western outskirts of Rome, bringing down an entire three-storey building and tearing open two adjacent structures, between Via Tavagnasco and Via Castellinaldo. Debris was hurled hundreds of metres in every direction, causing damage to four or five neighbouring buildings as well as vehicles parked in the street. Investigation According to the fire brigade, the explosion is believed to have been caused by a gas leak from an LPG cylinder installed in the building. Investigators were on site throughout the afternoon to establish the precise sequence of events, though no alternative causes were being actively pursued. Casualties and rescue operations  Two elderly people were seriously injured: a husband and wife aged 86 and 84, who were pulled from the rubble by firefighters and taken to Rome's Sant'Eugenio hospital in a critical condition. Around 70 people were evacuated from the immediate area. Once search operations through the rubble were concluded, the fire brigade confirmed that no further victims remained trapped beneath the debris. Police closed off surrounding streets and civil protection personnel were deployed to assist displaced residents in finding temporary accommodation. Eyewitness accounts One man living about 150 metres from the collapsed building told reporters that he heard an enormous blast and that the windows in his home were shattered. "Car and home alarms began going off all at once," another local resident said. A couple living nearby described initially fearing an earthquake or a terrorist attack, adding that the walls and windows of their home had shaken violently before a cloud of black smoke rose into the sky.  Mayor's response Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri travelled to the scene shortly after the explosion. Speaking to reporters, he described it as a very powerful and deeply alarming blast that had completely destroyed one building and severely damaged those around it. Gualtieri confirmed that the fire brigade was investigating the cause, with a gas leak from the building's LPG system appearing to be the most likely explanation.  He offered his thoughts to the injured and pledged that all those requiring assistance with housing would receive support. Photo Vigili del Fuoco  

A powerful explosion completely destroyed a three-storey residential building in Rome in Sunday, leaving two people in their 80s critically injured and forcing dozens of residents from their homes. The blast struck at around 13.00 in the Piana del Sole district in the western outskirts of Rome, bringing down an entire three-storey building and tearing open two adjacent structures, between Via Tavagnasco and Via Castellinaldo. Debris was hurled hundreds of metres in every direction, causing damage to four or five neighbouring buildings as well as vehicles parked in the street. According to the fire brigade, the explosion is believed to have been caused by a gas leak from an LPG cylinder installed in the building. Investigators were on site throughout the afternoon to establish the precise sequence of events, though no alternative causes were being actively pursued. Two elderly people were seriously injured: a husband and wife aged 86 and 84, who were pulled from the rubble by firefighters and taken to Rome's Sant'Eugenio hospital in a critical condition. Around 70 people were evacuated from the immediate area. Once search operations through the rubble were concluded, the fire brigade confirmed that no further victims remained trapped beneath the debris. Police closed off surrounding streets and civil protection personnel were deployed to assist displaced residents in finding temporary accommodation. One man living about 150 metres from the collapsed building told reporters that he heard an enormous blast and that the windows in his home were shattered. "Car and home alarms began going off all at once," another local resident said. A couple living nearby described initially fearing an earthquake or a terrorist attack, adding that the walls and windows of their home had shaken violently before a cloud of black smoke rose into the sky.  Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri travelled to the scene shortly after the explosion. Speaking to reporters, he described it as a very powerful and deeply alarming blast that had completely destroyed one building and severely damaged those around it. Gualtieri confirmed that the fire brigade was investigating the cause, with a gas leak from the building's LPG system appearing to be the most likely explanation.  He offered his thoughts to the injured and pledged that all those requiring assistance with housing would receive support. Photo Vigili del Fuoco