Fire damages opera house

A fire in Venice’s rebuilt La Fenice opera house was swiftly brought under control Monday, 22 years after a blaze had destroyed the famous theatre. Italian news agency ANSA reported that the fire broke out early Monday in a technical room that was under 24-hour surveillance as a precaution following the fire in 1996, which was ruled as arson. A dozen firefighters responded to the fire, containing it quickly. Two were treated and released for smoke inhalation. The theatre’s general manager, Fortunato Ortombina, told ANSA that the fire was caused by the theatre’s backup power system. He said the extent of damage was still being assessed.