The sirocco wind fanned the flames of the fire, which broke out on the morning of May 25 during the filming of the television series, “Civil Protection,” starring Italian actress and singer Ambra Angiolini.

 A key question in the investigation is who and why a fire was lit on location when the script did not call for any scenes with flames.

 "In the script that they sent us … they did not tell us that they would start a small fire during the shooting, but then I don't know who decided to do so, perhaps they were reassured by our presence, but the strong sirocco wind set the fire ablaze in a few minutes,” explained engineer Salvo Cantale, emergency manager of the Sicilian Region Fire Brigade. 

 "Any operation carried out was not authorized in the absence of the fire brigade team,” said mayor of Lipari Marco Giorgianni whose administration has jurisdiction over Stromboli. 

“I immediately went to Stromboli last night with a rubber dinghy. It was a miracle that there are no victims but the credit goes without a doubt to the citizens who fought against the flames like never before. I hadn’t given the crew any clearance. That area is not within my authority as it is a nature reserve and therefore under the control of the forestry."

 RAI, meanwhile, has distanced itself from the incident saying it bears no responsibility for the production of the series on the island of Stromboli.

 “The activity does not involve the Company's personnel and means,” the company said. “The executive production of the television series is organized and carried out, independently of Rai, by the company 'March 11'."

 It took the Fire Brigade, two Canadair planes and a helicopter, along with ground crews who worked day and night Wednesday with reinforcements of personnel and vehicles from Lipari and Milazzo to extinguish the fire that spread over about ten hectares.

 Two Canadair planes resumed the operation Thursday to "prevent the possibility of an upsurge in the flames." 

 No casualties or injuries were reported but some homes were left damaged by the blaze. 

 cc