Overview

• A fire at CleanWater Pool's chemical warehouse near Barcelona released a toxic chlorine cloud early on May 10, prompting emergency shelter-in-place orders for 150,000 residents.
• Civil Protection officials advised residents in five affected municipalities to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and avoid using air circulation systems to prevent exposure.
• The fire, which destroyed parts of the facility storing 700 tonnes of pool cleaning chemicals, is under control but not fully extinguished, with 29 firefighting vehicles deployed to address remaining hotspots.
• Authorities are investigating a suspected lithium battery malfunction as the cause of the blaze, with CleanWater Pool's CEO, Jorge Viñuales, suggesting this as a possible ignition source.
• No injuries have been reported, but the toxic cloud remains a concern as shifting winds could spread it further; rain is expected to help neutralize the lingering fumes.