Authorities in eastern France ordered approximately 30,000 people to remain indoors following a fire at an industrial site containing toxic substances. The fire broke out at a Safe company facility located in the Gandrange industrial zone in the Moselle department.
A large plume of black smoke was visible above the site starting around 10 am local time. The fire involved a 500-square-meter warehouse.
3 people
Reported as slightly injured in the fire
Emergency response levels varied in reports, with figures indicating either nearly 100 firefighters and 50 vehicles or approximately 150 firefighters were deployed to the site in Moselle. The confinement order included residents of five municipalities—Gandrange, Amneville, Vitry-sur-Orne, Clouange, and Rombas.
Following the extinguishing of the fire, residents were informed they could leave their homes. Operations to clean up hazardous substances and air quality measurements continue.
Updates
Local civil defence spokeswoman Geraldine Chambeaudie stated that the fire was under control by the afternoon of Sunday, August 2, though the cause remains unclear. While the exact number of responders is disputed, approximately 150 firefighters reportedly attended the scene in the Moselle department. Additionally, local reports indicate the smoke was visible as far as Metz, approximately 15 kilometres away.
Local civil defence spokeswoman Geraldine Chambeaudie stated that the fire in Gandrange was brought under control by the afternoon of Sunday, August 2, though the cause remains unclear. While reports of the number of responding firefighters are disputed, local media noted that smoke from the blaze was visible as far as 15 kilometres away in Metz.
Local civil defence spokeswoman Geraldine Chambeaudie stated that the fire was under control by the afternoon of Sunday, August 2, though the cause remains unclear. While reports regarding the exact number of responding firefighters are disputed, local residents and the mayor of Clouange have reported that the smoke is causing headaches and nausea. Additionally, the smoke was reported to be visible from as far as 15 kilometres away in Metz.
Local civil defence spokeswoman Geraldine Chambeaudie stated that the fire in Gandrange was brought under control by the afternoon of Sunday, August 2. While the cause of the blaze remains unclear, local media reported that the smoke was visible as far as Metz, approximately 15 kilometres away. Additionally, reports indicate that the smoke has caused residents to experience headaches and nausea.
The fire at the 800-square-meter industrial waste warehouse was brought under control by Sunday afternoon, though its structure has collapsed and the cause remains unclear. While Gandrange Mayor Quentin Bigot insists confinement measures must continue due to chemical presence, reports indicate one firefighter and one employee were hospitalized with slight injuries. There are conflicting reports regarding the emergency response, with disputed figures claiming either 135 or 150 firefighters were mobilized at the Moselle site.
The fire at the 800-square-meter industrial waste warehouse is reportedly under control as of Sunday afternoon, although Gandrange Mayor Quentin Bigot emphasized that confinement measures must continue due to chemical presence. The blaze, which occurred at a Seveso-classified site, caused the warehouse structure to collapse and resulted in one employee and one firefighter being hospitalized with slight injuries. While the cause remains unclear, local officials and residents report that the smoke is causing headaches and nausea, with visibility of the smoke extending approximately 15 kilometers to Metz.
The fire at the 800-square-meter industrial waste warehouse was brought under control on Sunday afternoon, though its structure collapsed and the cause remains unclear. While the Moselle sub-prefect noted that recent analyses have been reassuring, the Gandrange mayor emphasized that confinement measures must continue due to chemical presence. Additionally, one firefighter and one employee sustained slight injuries requiring hospitalization, and the Metz prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into involuntary injury and safety failures.
By Sunday afternoon, the fire in Gandrange was under control, with one firefighter and one site employee slightly injured and treated, while local authorities confirmed the warehouse — an 800-square-meter industrial waste storage unit — had collapsed; residents were urged to continue confinement due to persistent chemical risks, with the Metz prosecutor’s office launching an investigation into involuntary injury and safety failures, and officials advising against consuming untreated garden produce or water from streams due to potential contamination.
The automatic fire suppression system at the Safe company site failed to activate, and the water supply had been shut off for weekend maintenance, delaying firefighting efforts; one firefighter and one employee sustained minor injuries, while authorities confirmed the fire was under control by Sunday afternoon and opened an investigation into involuntary injury and safety failures, with a prior 2025 report having flagged missing fire extinguishers at the site.
