A large morning fire in an industrial ship in Vilanova I La Geltrú (Garraf) has forced the Confinement by chemical risk to the citizens of the capital of the Garraf, together with those of Cubelles, San Pere de Ribes, Cunit and Calafell. In total, more 150,000 people affected, to which Civil Protection has sent a alert to mobiles, around 05:31. The fire, which has not caused personal damage, has started around 2.20 h in a maintenance company of swimming pools in the rambla of the Catalan Countries of Vilanova. How the company stored 70 tons of chlorinethe fire has caused a giant cloud of this toxic product throughout the Penedès Marítim when coming into contact with the 4 water lines that have deployed the pumps to turn it off, as explained by the head of Intervention of the Bombers, Moisès Galán, in statements on TV3. Right now, the Fire is in stabilization phase: It has been avoided that the other industrial ships be extended, but the main concern is the smoke cloud with chemical content and where it is based on the wind.
Civil Protection, which has activated the External Emergency Plan of the Chemical Sector of Catalonia (PLASEQCAT) in Category 2 emergency phase, Ask to close the doors, buildings, windows and the use of outdoor ventilation systems. The Generalitat Firefighters have mobilized 60 troops and 28 land endowmentsincluding 12 water vehicles, two autoscaleras, the chemical risk van and the medium control unit.
At this point the fire is in the stabilization phase and it has been avoided that it spreads in the surrounding industrial ships, so that the situation advances in a “favorable” way. Civil Protection will notify through a new telephone message the distrust of the population, although everything indicates that it will not be imminent. The head of the Bombers intervention, Moisès Galán, has given a margin of five to six hours. The Deputy Director General of Civil Protection, Imma Solé, asks above all Do not approach the area and follow the instructions of the authorities regarding confinement: “The environment is not safe for health“Solé warned in statements on public television. Neighbors of the area who have gone to the street have warned itching in the eyes and throat and a strong stench to chlorine.
The main concern right now is the cloud that has generated contact with the water that firefighters throw to turn it off. Galán has explained that they monitor the column, to have data from the chemist and direction concentration that takes the wind. The goal now, he says, is Find a balance between water so that the fire does not extend to the ships on the side and wait at the point at which it is not necessary and it is better to let it go out aloneto avoid the chemical cloud that generates contact with water. They hope that now we western west and that could favor it to affect an area with less population core. By the time, The causes of the fire are unknown.
Because of the fire, Rodalies has informed that the braids will not stop between Sitges and Sant Vicenç de Calders Until new order. Nor can an alternative road service be established, according to Rodalies. Besides, Transit has cut several roads, such as C-15 or C-31with the aim of facilitating emergency tasks and avoiding population exposure to the chemical cloud.
The City of Vilanova I the Geltrú has asked that the Civil Protection indications be followed, while the Medical Emergency Service (SEM) is in Prealerta. Mayor Vilano, Juan Luis Ruiz, has moved to the Cecopal (local operational coordination center) and has already spoken by telephone with the president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illaand the Minister of Interior, Núria Parlon. The Consistory has reported the suspension of activities scheduled during the morning of this Saturday, such as sports or youth activities. The Mercat del Center, El Mercat del Mar, the street market, libraries and sports facilities, as well as cleaning and collection services are also closed. Ruiz has explained in statements on TV3 that “the situation is very complicated”, although the fire is controlled so that it does not spread and only affects this ship.
The mayor of CunitDolors Carreras, has ordered to close businesses and cancel outdoor activities. There are also five couples of local police, who are notifying businesses and have gone in residences to verify that everything was fine. He has also warned that various people from the municipality have not received the alert message to the phones and that is why they have gone to work on the street like any day and have found it. In Sant Pere de RibesMayor Anna Herrera has warned that at the moment she only affects the core of Roquetes. Herrera, who is in person at the Municipal Coordination Center, has called for calm to the municipality, where they are confined from dawn. In BucketMayor Rosa Maria Fonoll has met thematically with the authorities and has warned to cancel all activities, also the economic ones. He has called for tranquility and patience, after having received many calls from worried neighbors.
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