A fire broke out at an industrial waste warehouse in France, producing thick black smoke and a strong foul odor. Residents reported nasal irritation, headaches, and nausea, compounding France's worst wildfire situation in decades.
A fire erupted at an industrial waste storage warehouse in the village of Gondecourt, in northeastern France, on Sunday, 2 August. It caused dense smoke and a strong foul smell, prompting authorities to temporarily advise about 30,000 nearby residents to remain indoors to avoid inhaling toxic smoke.
Officials reported the fire ignited on Sunday morning and was brought under control by the afternoon. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Local media reported that the smoke from the fire was visible as far as Metz, about 15 kilometers from the site of the blaze.
Amandine Vecchio, 34, said she was alarmed by the smoke when leaving a cinema in the nearby town of Amnéville. She described the odor as very strong and said she immediately developed a headache. She quickly had her 8-year-old daughter cover her mouth and nose with a doll, then called her teenage son at home to bring the family’s dog and cat indoors and close all doors and windows.
Clément Derieux, mayor of the village of Clouange, said the smoke covering the area caused some residents to experience headaches. According to reports, some people also suffered from nausea.
This event occurred as France faces a severe wildfire season. Earlier, the country experienced its largest wildfire since 1949, burning about 42,000 hectares (approximately 262,500 rai) of pine forest near Bordeaux, a major wine-producing city.
Although authorities contained that wildfire on Sunday after more than a week of burning, firefighters continue to spray water to extinguish remaining hotspots in several areas.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that smoke from wildfires can carry harmful pollutants thousands of kilometers. In 2024, smoke from Canadian wildfires affected air quality across many parts of Europe.
/source:Channelnewsasia
Click to read more news aboutInternational news