The quiet Wednesday evening in the Spanish city of Seville was turned upside down as an explosion at a chemical plant sent up a huge pillar of smoke. Minor injuries were reported, but officials sent messages to more than 80,000 residents to stay indoors, close their windows, and wear face masks.
A spokesperson from the emergency services told the press that they started receiving hundreds of calls at around 1:20 PM about a fire in the La Red Industrial Park, southeast of Seville. The source of the fire can be traced back to the chemical warehouse belonging to the local chemical distributor Plainsur.
Thankfully, workers at the warehouse were all accounted for with no injuries and no one remaining trapped inside. On its website, Plainsur lists highly flammable compounds such as ethylene, toluene, and industrial solvents among its products.
Second Shocking Incident This Week From Spain
Just a week earlier, another fire at a chemical factory in the northeast of Seville forced fire services to issue health warnings to more than 150,000 residents and ordered the residents of five nearby towns to stay indoors and wear masks. At least four people reported breathing problems, while there were no reported injuries.
The fire broke out four days before the Seville disaster inside a warehouse at the plant near the town of Vilanova i la Geltrú. The warehouse was used to store more than 70 tons of chlorine, primarily for use in swimming pools. The firefighters were able to put the fire under control by the afternoon. However, the orders to stay indoors stayed in effect for seven hours after the fire was under control in the areas between Barcelona and Tarragona on the Spanish Mediterranean coast.
Long-Term Effects of Chemical Fire Explosion Near Seville
The Seville explosion released toxic black smoke into the air, prompting the emergency services to issue advisories for residents within a 3 km radius. While immediate injuries were few, two people suffered minor injuries. However, the specific chemicals involved were not disclosed by the authorities.
While the fire department has managed to control the fire, investigations into the cause of the explosion and the specific chemicals involved are still ongoing. Residents of Seville and nearby neighborhoods are advised to remain vigilant, stay indoors, keep their windows shut, and wear face masks till further notice from health and environmental authorities.
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