Toxic cloud forces 160,000 Spaniards into the house for fire

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Nach einem Brand in Katalonien müssen 160.000 Menschen aufgrund einer giftigen Chlorwolke in ihren Häusern bleiben. Alle aktuellen Entwicklungen und Sicherheitswarnungen finden Sie hier.
After a fire in Catalonia, 160,000 people have to stay in their houses due to a toxic chlorine cloud. You can find all current developments and security warnings here. (Symbolbild/DNAT)

On Saturday, around 160,000 people in the northeastern region of Catalonia, Spain, were asked to stay inside after a fire on an industrial site was a toxic chlorgaswolke had generated the emergency services.

fire in Vilanova I la Geltrú

The fire broke out at 2:20 a.m. local time (8:20 a.m. Friday ET) in a company for swimming pool cleaning products in Vilanova I la Geltrú, a city 48 kilometers south of Barcelona. It caused a huge cloud of chlorgar that moved across the surroundings.

warnings of civil society

"If you are in the affected zone, please do not leave your home or work," it said in a communication of the Civil protection service on the social media platform X.

no injured but significant effects

The Catalan emergency services reported that nobody was injured in the fire, but the residents from five cities were sent to any messages in which they were asked to stay inside. "It is very difficult to ignite chlorine gas, but if it burns it is very difficult to extinguish," said Jorge Vinuales Alonso, the owner of the industrial area, in an Interview with the local radio station Rac1.

cause of fire and traffic impairments

he suspected that the cause of the fire could have been a lithium battery. In the meantime, trains that were supposed to drive through the region were stopped, blocked streets and other events canceled.

Current situation

The fire is now under control, reported Joan Ramon Cabello, a spokesman for civil protection, on TV at TV>