Fire damages Italian film studios

Dozens of firefighters fought the blaze for hours overnight

A fire has destroyed part of the Cinecitta film studios in Rome, where many classic Italian films were made.

However, it did not damage the historic areas where Ben Hur and classics by Federico Fellini were made, a Cinecitta manager was quoted as saying.

Flames leapt 40m (130ft) into the air at one point before the blaze was brought under control.

The fire engulfed about 3,000sq m (32,000sq ft), firefighters said. There were no reported deaths or injuries.

Firefighters fought the blaze all night and prevented the fire spreading to the densely populated urban area around the film studios.

The fire began in a store for film sets, destroying sets used in a television series about ancient Rome, produced by HBO and the BBC. Filming had already been completed.

The studios are in a sprawling complex a few kilometres from the historic centre of Rome. Cinecitta (Film City) celebrated its 70th anniversary in April.

Cinecitta was created by the dictator Benito Mussolini during the Fascist period.