A fire in a chemical warehouse in Vilanova i la Geltrú has been contained after releasing a toxic cloud that affected over one hundred fifty thousand residents across five municipalities. The incident prompted a seven-hour lockdown for safety precautions on Saturday. Firefighters reported that the fire began in the early hours of Saturday morning around two AM and involved approximately seventy tonnes of chlorine used for pool cleaning.

The fire has been under control since late Saturday afternoon. Fire crews managed to access the warehouse to remove some of the hazardous chemicals inside, although not all materials were recoverable due to the risk of structural collapse. Monitoring continues as first responders track the behaviour of the remaining chlorine stored within.

Reassuringly, firefighters confirmed that extracted chemicals have been safely contained to prevent any reactions from rainwater. As a result, there is currently no risk to the local population. However, officials warned it could take several days to extinguish the fire completely.

The safety perimeter previously set up has been lifted, allowing local industries to resume normal operations on Monday. Also, restrictions on vulnerable residents, such as the elderly and children in areas like Vilanova and Sant Pere de Ribes, have been eased. Emergency services will maintain heightened alert due to the nature of the chemicals involved.