World

Gandrange: 30,000 told to stay indoors after chemical warehouse fire

Herz — World Desk · 2 August 2026 at 16:07 · 30s summary · 2 min read

The essentials

Around 30,000 people in five municipalities in France’s Moselle department were told to stay indoors on Sunday after a fire engulfed an industrial-waste warehouse containing chemicals in Gandrange. The blaze was brought under control during the afternoon, but a large plume of black smoke remained visible. Two firefighters and a site employee suffered minor injuries. Smoke tests were under way to determine whether the precautionary restrictions could be lifted. Authorities advised residents to remain inside, close doors and windows, avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from the fire area.

Around 30,000 people in five municipalities were told to stay indoors.
The fire was under control, but a large plume of black smoke remained.
Two firefighters and a site employee suffered minor injuries.
Around 135 firefighters and 40 emergency vehicles were deployed.
Reports conflict over whether the warehouse covered 500 or 800 square metres.

What is known

A fire engulfed an industrial-waste warehouse containing chemicals on Sunday at the Safe site in the Gandrange industrial area, in France’s Moselle department. The blaze was brought under control during the afternoon, but a large plume of black smoke remained, according to 24 heures and the Tribune de Genève.

As a precaution, the Moselle prefecture told around 30,000 people to remain indoors until further notice. The order covered Gandrange, Amnéville, Vitry-sur-Orne, Clouange and Rombas.

The warehouse is located at the Safe site, identified in the source material as Suez Alternative Fuels & Energies, near ArcelorMittal facilities. No verified definition of this entity is available in the supplied material.

The warehouse is classified as a Seveso site, the European designation for industrial facilities presenting major-accident risks and subject to prevention requirements. Its structure collapsed during the fire.

Emergency response and injuries

Around 135 firefighters and 40 emergency vehicles were deployed. Two firefighters and one site employee suffered minor injuries.

One firefighter and the employee were taken to hospital. The second firefighter was treated at the scene.

Around 30,000

Residents told to stay indoors across five municipalities

135

Firefighters deployed

Emergency vehicles deployed

People with minor injuries

Instructions for residents

Gandrange Mayor Quentin Bigot said the order to remain indoors had to stay in place, citing in particular the presence of chemicals.

He repeated instructions to stay at home, close doors and windows, avoid unnecessary travel and keep away from the fire area.

Smoke tests were under way to determine whether the restrictions could be lifted.

Smoke plume visible from Metz

Le Républicain lorrain reported that the plume could be seen from several kilometres away, as far as Metz, about 15 kilometres south of Gandrange.

Amandine Vecchio, 34, a municipal councillor in neighbouring Clouange, told AFP that the smell was extremely unpleasant but did not smell burnt. She said she immediately developed a headache.