At least two people have died, and three others are missing following a fire at a fuel depot owned by Eni, in the town of Calenzano near Florence, in the Tuscany region.
The fire, caused by an explosion, has been brought under control, announced prefect Eugenio Giani on Telegram.
Eni stated in a press release that the flames were limited to a loading area and did not threaten the storage facility at all, as reported by AFP.
Local authorities have announced that all hospitals and emergency services in the region have been put on alert.
A video posted on social media captured flames several meters high and a massive column of black smoke above the facility, near the fuel tanks.
Civil Protection is advising residents in the region to close doors and windows.
Investigations are underway to determine the causes of the fire and its environmental and health consequences.
Experts have been sent to the site to assess the risk of pollution, including of nearby waters.