An explosion occurred at the Perfetti factory in Lainate, near Milan, around 2 PM today.

The incident took place in a storage area containing production waste, causing a large column of black smoke visible for kilometers.

Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control, and no injuries were reported.

As a precaution, three nearby residential buildings were evacuated, with some elderly residents experiencing minor breathing issues.

Emergency teams, including chemical hazard units, were deployed to ensure safety.

Perfetti confirmed the fire was contained to a small external area and did not disrupt operations.

The company, known for brands like Mentos and Chupa Chups, assured the situation is under control.