Italy: Chemical plant fire hurts 2, forces Venetians indoors

A fire at a chemical plant near Venice critically injured two people, belched thick black smoke into the air, and forced Venetians to stay indoors for fear of noxious fumes, Italian authorities said Friday. Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said the blaze, triggered by an explosion at the factory in the industrial town of Porto Marghera Friday morning, was extinguished.

Firefighters warned of a possible spread of chemicals into the surrounding area. State RAI TV said the fire broke out in a plant producing cosmetics, including a solvent used for nail varnish removal.

Brugnaro tweeted that text messages were sent to Venetians, inviting them to "stay home and close the windows" as a precaution while authorities determine what chemicals were released by the accident.