A fire broke out this afternoon near the main studios of Italian public broadcaster Rai in Rome.

Cars exploded and three apartment buildings were evacuated as a precaution.

At the same time, it was decided to stop a live TV broadcast of Rai. Firefighters and Italian Civil Protection forces are operating throughout the Prati area, on the Monte Mario hill.

At a very short distance from the flames are also the headquarters of the courts of the Italian capital.