Fire burns portion of famed Italian studio

ROME, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Fire destroyed a portion of Rome's Cinecitta film studio, where films such as "Ben Hur" and classics by Federico Fellini were made.

Officials reported no injuries or deaths.

Flames reportedly shot 130 feet into the air at one point before firefighters brought the blaze under control, the BBC reported Friday. It consumed about 32,000 square feet in the complex.

Officials said the fire apparently began in an area where film sets were stored, destroying sets used in a television series about ancient Rome produced by HBO and the BBC. Filming had already been completed.

Cinecitta, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in April, was created by fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.