Chlorine gas cloud near Barcelona forces 160,000 indoors after fire

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
11 May 2025 09:16

More than 160,000 people near Barcelona were told to stay indoors after a fire at a chemical warehouse in Vilanova i la Geltru released a toxic chlorine cloud.

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Emergency staff members on a platform are seen as smoke billows from a building storing pool cleaning products, in the coastal city of Vilanova i la Geltru, south of Barcelona, on May 10, 2025 (AFP)

Spanish authorities ordered more than 160,000 residents near Barcelona to remain indoors on Saturday after a fire at an industrial warehouse released a toxic chlorine cloud across several coastal districts.

The fire broke out at dawn in Vilanova i la Geltru, a city located south of Barcelona, in a facility used to store pool cleaning products.

The regional fire service reported that the blaze produced a hazardous gas cloud, prompting an immediate response from emergency teams and civil protection officials.

🇪🇸 Espagne : "Ne sortez pas de chez vous". Plus de 160.000 personnes sont confinées à cause d'un nuage toxique de chlore causé par un incendie dans un dépôt industriel, dans la municipalité de Vilanova i la Geltru, près de Barcelone. pic.twitter.com/uh18FebOxq
— Infos Françaises (@InfosFrancaises) May 10, 2025

Authorities warn of chlorine gas danger across coastal districts

The Civil Protection Service issued warnings through social media, urging residents in the affected areas to stay inside their homes or workplaces. People were advised to keep windows and doors closed to prevent exposure to the toxic gas.

The at-risk zone included five districts along the coast, stretching from Vilanova i la Geltru to Calafell, near Tarragona. Transport routes were also disrupted, with road closures and train station shutdowns implemented to restrict movement in and around the contaminated area.

No casualties reported amid large emergency response

As of Saturday evening, no casualties had been reported. The fire service stated it had deployed numerous units to control the blaze and was actively monitoring the gas plume for changes in direction and toxicity levels.

The fire service said on X that it was “monitoring the column [of gas] caused by the blaze for changes and for its toxic levels.”

Warehouse owner cites possible lithium battery cause

The owner of the warehouse, Jorge Vinuales Alonso, told local radio station Rac1 that the fire may have been caused by 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 highlighted.

Officials hope toxic cloud will soon dissipate

The mayor of Vilanova i la Geltru, Juan Luis Ruiz Lopez, told TVE that the fire had been extinguished and authorities were hopeful that the chlorine gas cloud would begin to dissipate soon.

With the fire now under control, the authorities expected that “this toxic cloud will start to dissipate and we can lift the measures currently imposed,” he stated.