A devastating fire tore through the heart of Naples early Tuesday morning, February 17, 2026, gutting the interior of the historic Teatro Sannazaro and leaving the city’s cultural community in shock.
The blaze, which broke out at approximately 6:00 AM in the upscale Chiaia district, reportedly originated in an adjacent apartment building before rapidly engulfing the theater. Despite the swift arrival of five firefighting teams and multiple tankers, the intense heat caused the theater's iconic domed roof to collapse directly onto the stalls and lower tiers.
"A Deep Wound to Our History"
Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi, who visited the scene, described the event as a "deep wound" to the city's heritage. "Very little of the theater remains," stated Fire Brigade Commander Giuseppe Paduano. While the external masonry survived, the ornate 19th-century wood-framed interior, gilded boxes, and frescoes by Vincenzo Paliotti were largely reduced to ash.
Casualties and Response
Evacuations: Twenty-two families were evacuated from surrounding buildings as thick, acrid smoke filled the Chiaia neighborhood, making the air "unbreathable" for several hours.
Injuries: At least four residents were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, though their conditions are reported as stable and non-life-threatening.
Cause: Preliminary investigations suggest an electrical short circuit in a neighboring apartment may have triggered the disaster, though arson has not been officially ruled out.
A Legacy in Ruins
Inaugurated in 1847 and famously known as the "Bomboniera of Via Chiaia," the Teatro Sannazaro was a vital center for Neapolitan theatrical tradition. It hosted legendary performers like Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse. At the time of the fire, it was in the middle of a seasonal run of Café Chantant My World.
The Italian Ministry of Culture has already pledged support for a full reconstruction, with Mayor Manfredi vowing to "give the theater back to the city."
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