A toxic cloud of chlorine caused widespread evacuations in Spain’s northeastern region of Catalonia after a fire at an industrial estate, but authorities eventually lifted the emergency measure and brought the situation under control.
A toxic cloud of chlorine caused widespread evacuations in Spain‘s northeastern region of Catalonia on Saturday after a fire at an industrial estate. Authorities had initially confined around 160,000 people to their homes due to the hazardous conditions.
The fire broke out at a swimming pool cleaning products firm in Vilanova i la Geltrú, a town 48 kilometers south of Barcelona, at 2:20 a.m. local time. The blaze was brought under control by Saturday afternoon, with authorities lifting an emergency measure that had been in place since earlier that morning.
Firefighters were monitoring the blaze’s toxic levels, as chlorine is difficult to ignite but challenging to extinguish once it does so. Warehouse owner Jorge Vinuales Alonso attributed the cause of the fire to a lithium battery. ‘It is very difficult for chlorine to catch fire ‘but when it does so it is very hard to put it out,’ he said.
The regional government announced that the situation was stable, with 24 units stationed on site and no casualties reported by the fire service. Authorities had initially advised people in the affected area to stay home, before lifting the restriction. ‘If you are in the zone that is affected, do not leave your home or your place of work,’ they said.
The fire service stated it was monitoring the blaze’s toxic levels, but ultimately brought the situation under control.
Chlorine is a yellow-green gas with a pungent smell.
It is highly reactive and toxic in its gaseous state, but it has various applications when dissolved in water or combined with other substances.
Chlorine is widely used for disinfecting drinking water, swimming pools, and industrial processes due to its ability to kill bacteria and viruses.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), '99.9% of microorganisms' are effective against.
It is also used in the production of plastics, dyes, and textiles.
