Chlorine fire forces thousands to stay indoors in Spain
- A fire at a chemical factory in Vilanova i la Geltru led to health warnings for local residents.
- Authorities ordered about 150,000 people to stay indoors to avoid exposure to toxic chlorine fumes.
- The situation was contained later in the day, with no injuries reported, demonstrating effective emergency response.
In northeastern Spain, a significant fire broke out early on Saturday at a chemical factory located in Vilanova i la Geltru, which is approximately 48 kilometers south of Barcelona. The blaze erupted in a warehouse that contained 70 tons of chlorine meant for swimming pool cleaning products. As a result of the fire, emergency services quickly issued health warnings to about 150,000 local residents, advising them to stay indoors for their safety. The situation was serious enough that stay-indoors orders were also extended to five nearby towns, impacting day-to-day activities and causing disruptions in the area including halted train services and closed roads. The Civil Protection service of the regional government played an integral role in managing the crisis and communicated through social media channels, urging residents to remain in their homes until they received further notice. Residents received mobile alerts advising them of the hazardous conditions due to a toxic cloud of chlorine smoke produced by the fire. Preliminary reports suggest that the fire might have been ignited by a lithium battery, as suggested by Jorge Vinuales Alonso, the owner of the industrial property, who spoke to a local radio station regarding the incident. Fortunately, while the fire caused significant concerns and was difficult to manage due to the nature of chlorine, no injuries have been reported. Medical personnel were, however, called to attend to four individuals who experienced breathing difficulties as a potential consequence of exposure to the toxic cloud. As the day unfolded, firefighters announced they were able to bring the fire under control, alleviating immediate fears for the local population. The containment of the fire and the lifting of stay-indoors orders marked a positive turn of events, though the early hours saw a reaction of urgency and concern from local authorities. Trains and roadways were obstructed as a safety precaution, and numerous events in the vicinity were canceled. The incident highlights the potential dangers present in industrial settings, especially where hazardous materials are stored, and the vital role that emergency services play in protecting community health during unforeseen crises.