Fire at Monastery in Italy
A devastating fire erupted at the historic Monastero della Bernaga, located in Valletta Brianza (Lecco), on the evening of October 12, 2025.
The fire is believed to have originated from a short circuit in one of the convent’s cells at 7:30 PM. The blaze rapidly spread throughout the structure, which includes parts dating back to the 17th century, causing extensive damage, particularly to the monastery and the adjacent church where Saint Carlo Acutis received his First Communion in 1998.
Nine firefighting teams from the Lecco, Monza Brianza, and Como fire departments responded to the incident, utilising ladder trucks and firefighter fire trucks. The operation was very demanding and lasted throughout the night, with approximately 40 firefighters involved. A thermal imaging drone was also used to monitor active fires and identify areas at risk of collapse. Some works of art were saved during the emergency.
Causes of the Fire
The most probable cause of the fire was a short circuit originating from one of the convent’s cells, situated beneath the roof. The NIA (Fire Investigative Unit of the Fire Brigade) is currently engaged in verifying the cause.
Fire Safety Characteristics of the Building
The monastery, dating back to the 17th century, is predominantly constructed of masonry. It features traditional wooden beams for its floors and roofs. Notably, the building lacks automatic fire extinguishing systems and modern compartmentation systems, which are relatively common in historic structures. Consequently, the structure is currently completely uninhabitable, with floors and roofs having collapsed and posing a risk of further collapse.
Official press releases and interviews conducted with the mayor and firefighters provided valuable information regarding the emergency and the immediate state of the area following the incident.
According to press reports, the internal temperature in Valletta, as reported by Mayor Brianza and firefighters who responded after the fire was extinguished, was still above 160°C. This temperature was cited as a significant challenge for firefighters, as the limit for intervention inside buildings is typically around 50-60°C. The data was recorded during the cleanup and thermal monitoring operations conducted on the building.
Nuns’ Evacuation and Injuries
At the time of the fire, 21 Romite Ambrosiane nuns were present. Fortunately, none sustained serious injuries. An 87-year-old nun experienced mild intoxication and was subsequently treated with a non-serious condition. The nuns promptly raised the alarm and evacuated the building in a orderly manner, successfully salvaging several religious objects and the relics of Carlo Acutis.
The nuns have been temporarily housed in Nostra Famiglia facilities, while cleanup and safety measures continue. The main risk now lies in the stability of the remains of the structure. Safety measures and monitoring of the areas still at risk have begun.
The monastery is reduced to a skeleton. The roof, floors, and most of the rooms have collapsed. Damage amounts to millions of euros.
