It is believed a boiler exploded, causing part of the roof of the gym to collapse into the room where beach volleyball players practised on Empoli Street in Florence on Tuesday night.
Fire crews and ambulances rushed to the scene and the two women were taken to hospital. They are believed to have suffered only mild injuries.
The collapse is believed to have been caused by the explosion of a boiler and not by a gas leak as originally assumed.
Witnesses say the loud bang was heard down the street and images from the scene show fire crews standing outside the building.
It is believed they hit by splinters as the roof caved in at the gym, which is also used for volleyball lessons and as a dance school.
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