A devastating fire tore through the H-Farm campus located in Roncade, near Treviso, Italy, shortly before midnight on February 21, 2024. The incident involved the destruction of one of the key buildings at the facility, which houses server rooms and office spaces. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, primarily due to the thorough and timely response from local firefighters.
The fire ignited around 11:30 PM, consuming the structure known colloquially as the "old farmhouse," which held immense importance for the H-Farm community. This campus serves as both an educational institution and startup incubator, playing a pivotal role in the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem. The flames reportedly started at the ground level, where the servers were located, before spreading to the offices above.
Teams from Treviso, San Donà di Piave, and Mestre responded with urgency, deploying three fire engines, three water tenders, and 21 personnel on-site. "The situation was complicated; we had multiple units on site to contain the blaze," reported fire officials. Thanks to their efforts, the fire was contained within hours, preventing it from spreading to adjacent buildings, and enabling restoration efforts to commence almost immediately.
Investigations are currently underway to determine the fire's cause. Initial assessments suggest it may have resulted from a short circuit, especially due to the presence of electrical servers. "The building was declared unsafe following the incident," local authorities stated, pointing to the severe fire damage rendered to the structure's wooden framework.
Riccardo Donadon, founder of H-Farm, addressed the community's concern through social media, stating, "We will rebuild it, and our Casone will return even more beautiful." His determination resonates within the H-Farm community, which has relied on the space for the collaboration of students and entrepreneurs since its establishment.
H-Farm has become one of the most notable institutions for innovation and education in Italy, with nearly 100 million euros in annual revenue, numerous patents, and significant contributions to the national research agenda. Its destruction poses not only physical but also symbolic consequences for the area.
Firefighters remain on-site, conducting safety assessments and completing recovery operations. Additional lines of inquiry about the circumstances surrounding the fire continue; city officials have ruled out foul play but are exploring all necessary details to minimize future risks.
This incident highlights the importance of proper safety measures and the need for comprehensive emergency response strategies within educational institutions. The resilience shown by H-Farm’s community and firefighters alike reflects the dedication to innovation and entrepreneurship, as they collectively strive to rebuild and improve the heavily affected campus.