On May 10, 2025, approximately 160,000 residents in Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region were temporarily confined indoors following a fire at a swimming pool cleaning products company in Vilanova i la Geltrú, about 48 kilometers south of Barcelona. The blaze, which began at 2:20 a.m. local time, released a significant toxic chlorine cloud over the area, prompting authorities to issue stay-at-home orders for residents in five nearby towns.

The Civil Protection service communicated the confinement directive via social media, advising individuals in the affected zones to remain indoors. Emergency services reported no injuries resulting from the incident. However, as a precautionary measure, train services were halted, roads were blocked, and local events were canceled to ensure public safety.

Jorge Viñuales Alonso, the owner of the industrial property, suggested that the fire might have been initiated by a lithium battery. He noted the challenges associated with extinguishing chlorine fires, stating, “It is very difficult for chlorine to catch fire, but when it does so it is very hard to put it out.”

By Saturday afternoon, the fire was brought under control, and the confinement orders were lifted. Joan Ramon Cabello, a spokesperson for Civil Protection, confirmed the containment of the blaze in an interview with TVE television channel.

The incident underscores the potential risks associated with industrial facilities handling hazardous materials and the importance of swift emergency response measures to protect public health.