Hazardous chlorine fumes arise from Barcelona warehouse blaze, prompting approximately 160,000 individuals to seek shelter indoors.
Saturday's Chaotic Day in Spain: A Toxic Cloud hangs Over Northeastern Towns
A toxic chlorine cloud sent alarm rings across northeastern Spain today, forcing over 160,000 residents to stay indoors as a precautionary measure. The smoke spread from the coastal town of Vilanova i la Geltrú, about 40 kilometers south of Barcelona.
TheSource of the chaos? A roaring fire that ignited at an industrial warehouse storing swimming pool chemicals. TheFacility, located on the outskirts of the town, held around 70 tons of chlorine.
As daybreak approached, the inferno erupted, leading to a massive emergency response from regional firefighters and public safety officials. They rushed to quell the flames and contain the dangerous toxic chlorine.
In the initial panic, a wide swath of land, extending from Vilanova i la Geltrú to Calafell near Tarragona, was put under a shelter-in-place order. Residents were asked to keep their windows and doors shut and refrain from venturing outside. Train stations and roads in the affected regions were also temporarily closed to minimize public exposure to hazardous fumes.
Catalonia's Interior Minister Núria Barlon later announced the general lockdown had been lifted, but she emphasized that children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues should continue to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities. "We are vigilantly monitoring the air quality situation. Depending on wind direction, we may issue targeted shelter advisories in specified zones," the regional fire department clarified.
The warehouse owner suggested that a lithium battery could have been the culprit behind the blaze, despite the chemicals not being easily flammable. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that extinguishing chlorine fires can be quite challenging due to their tenacity.
Vilanova i la Geltrú Mayor Juan Luis Ruiz López struck a cautiously optimistic note, explaining that the toxic cloud should disperse once the fire is fully brought under control. "We anticipate the protective measures to be lifted gradually as the situation improves," he said.
As of now, no injuries or casualties have been reported. Officially deployed fire units continue fighting the blaze, and they are also consistently assessing air quality to monitor the toxicity levels of the chlorine gas. Four people reported experiencing breathing difficulties and were treated by medical professionals.
The toxic cloud incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with industrial accidents and the critical need for quick and efficient emergency responses.
1. Incident Location: The incident took place at a chemical plant close to Vilanova i la Geltrú – a town between Barcelona and Tarragona in northeastern Spain.2. Cause of the Fire: The fire was caused by a warehouse that housed over 70 tons of chlorine used for swimming pools.3. Fire Containment Progress: The fire was initially reported to be under control by Saturday afternoon.4. Evacuation Measures: Over 160,000 people were advised to stay indoors due to potential health hazards, and approximately 150,000 residents received health warnings. Affected areas were placed under lockdown for approximately seven hours.5. Air Quality and Health Impact: While specific air quality measurements are not provided, the presence of the toxic chlorine cloud necessitated stay-indoors orders for resident safety. Four people reported experiencing breathing problems and were attended to by medics.6. Current Status: As of the latest reports, the fire has been brought under control, and stay-indoors orders have been lifted following containment. The incident highlights the dangers of industrial accidents and the importance of swift emergency responses.
- The industrial accident causing the toxic chlorine cloud occurred near Vilanova i la Geltrú, a town in northeastern Spain between Barcelona and Tarragona.
- The fire was started by a warehouse housing swimming pool chemicals, specifically over 70 tons of chlorine.3.Firefighters had initially reported that the fire was under control by Saturday afternoon.
- Over 160,000 people were advised to stay indoors due to potential health hazards, and approximately 150,000 residents received health warnings. Affected areas remained under lockdown for approximately seven hours.
- The presence of the toxic chlorine cloud necessitated stay-indoors orders for resident safety, resulting in four people reporting breathing difficulties and seeking medical attention.
