Five Catalan municipalities are under lockdown due to a fire at a factory containing 70 tons of chlorine.

A fire broke out early Saturday morning in Vilanova i la Geltrú, forcing five municipalities in Barcelona and Tarragona to be placed under lockdown due to the risk of poisoning caused by a huge cloud. The fire broke out in a pool maintenance company with 70 tons of chlorine inside.

The municipalities under lockdown are Vilanova i la Geltrú, Sant Pere de Ribes, and Cubelles, in the province of Barcelona, ​​and Cunit and Calafell, in the province of Tarragona. Residents of the Roquetes area have also received a warning from Civil Protection to stay indoors, not open windows, or use air conditioning units.

The Rodalies stations in the affected towns have also been closed, so trains do not stop there. Civil Protection is urging the public to avoid travel.

Approximately 60 firefighters and personnel from the technological risk group are working to extinguish the blaze. According to reports, the fire is now in the stabilization phase and its spread to neighboring warehouses has been halted. The plume generated by the fire is now being monitored to track its progress and toxicity levels.

According to information from Civil Protection, there is no record so far of anyone affected by the fire.