State of emergency asked for Pantelleria (2)

(ANSA) - Pantelleria, May 30 - The mayor of Pantelleria, Salvatore Gabriele, on Monday asked that a state of emergency be declared because of a wildfire that has been devastating the island west of Sicily for the last three says. "The damage is incalculable," he said. "We are faced with an environmental and hydrogeological disaster caused by an unprecedented criminal act." The local electricity company and the Italian Navy set up a generator Sunday to keep shops and essential services including the hospital running. The fire has been blamed on arsonists.