The lockdown has been lifted in Vilanova i la Geltrú, Roquetas del Garraf, Cubelles, Cunit and Calafell due to a warehouse fire.

BarcelonaThe Catalan government has lifted the lockdown imposed in Vilanova i la Geltrú, the town of Roquetas de Sant Pere de Ribes, Cubelles, Cunit, and Calafell due to a fire at a chemical products company, which has now been stabilized. The measure has affected approximately 150,000 people, who have been unable to leave their homes and have had to close doors and windows to prevent potentially toxic fumes from affecting them throughout the morning. The government recommends that vulnerable people, such as the elderly and children, in Vilanova i la Geltrú and the town of Roquetas de Sant Pere de Ribes avoid going outside to minimize the impact of the smoke. "The fire is stabilized, it is progressing well, and that means we are lifting the lockdown for the affected populations," announced the Minister of the Interior, Núria Parlon.

The fire started just after 2:00 a.m. at the CleanWater Pool facilities, a company located at 18 Rambla de los Països Catalans that distributes pool maintenance products. No injuries were reported, but the warehouse was storing tons of chlorine tablets (initially reported to be 70 tons), so the fire caused a significant pollution cloud that forced Civil Protection to activate the Emergency phase of PLASEQCAT (External Emergency Plan for the Chemical Sector of Catalonia).

The Fire Department has mobilized 60 personnel and 28 ground crews. Specifically, they are working with 12 water vehicles, 2 fire ladder trucks, 14 light command vehicles, personnel and cargo transport vehicles, including the Chemical Risk Van and the Medium Command Unit (UCM). Personnel from the Technological Risk Support Group (GRIT) and the Operational Support Group (GROS) have also been deployed, according to ACN.

Civil Protection has sent an alert message to the mobile phones of the entire population requesting confinement. The alert came at 4:30 a.m., when the fire had been burning for hours and the time was approaching when residents could begin to rise. Morning activities in these towns are currently suspended, pending progress on the fire extinguishing process and improvement of environmental conditions. Traffic is closed on the C-15 and C-31 highways near Vilanova i la Geltrú for safety reasons. Civil Protection asks that people avoid travel in this area. Regarding rail transport, Renfe reports that trains on the R2 Sur route do not stop between Sitges and Sant Vicenç de Calders.

Among the canceled activities are open-air markets, fairs, and sporting events, as well as cultural events like the Vida Festival preview party, which was scheduled to be held at Masía d'en Cabanyes with several concerts planned. "We are aware that the cancellation may cause inconvenience and disappointment, but we trust in your understanding," the X del Vida profile stated.

It met "all legal requirements."

The owner of the facilities where the fire broke out, Jorge Viñuales, explained that they met "all legal requirements" for storing chemicals. Speaking to Catalunya Ràdio, he confirmed that the warehouse contains products for maintaining swimming pool water, especially chlorine tablets, although he denied that there were 70 tons. "Much less, but at this time it is difficult to specify the total amount," he said.

The Generalitat Fire Department alerted Viñuales of the fire in the early hours of the morning. "I must thank him for his diligence, which prevented the fire from affecting neighboring warehouses," he said. The owner of the affected business is concerned about the situation that has arisen, but also calm and confident that the situation "will be resolved soon."