Spain Toxic Cloud - Authorities have warned more than 60,000 residents in north-eastern Spain to stay indoors after a chemical explosion at a warehouse formed a toxic orange cloud over several communities for hours.
Local reports indicate that the incident happened on Thursday around 9:45 a.m. at the warehouse of a company that distributes and store chemicals in Igualada, a city just 30 miles from Barcelona.
The blast injured at least two people and set the delivery truck on fire. It is said to have been triggered when two chemicals, which were being delivered, mixed.
Firefighters say the mixed chemicals include nitric oxide and ferric chloride.
The explosion caused a thick orange toxic cloud to hover over six municipalities including Igualada, Jorba and Odena.
Local authorities warned residents to stay indoors and seal off their widows and other ventilation points. "This is not a game," officials tweeted. "Don't put yourself in danger to take pictures of the cloud outside."
Ramon Espadaler, who works with Catalonia's interior ministry, said the chemicals were not really toxic, but simply irritants and "it will cause itchy eyes and a runny nose, but no chocking sensation."
Nonetheless, two hours after the cloud had dissipated and the warning were lifted, firefighters still cautioned pregnant women, children, elderly people and those suffering from respiratory illnesses to stay indoors.
"There's very little wind, which means the cloud is disappearing very slowly," Espadaler said. "We're returning to normal little by little, but we still don't have everything under control.
Local reports indicate that officials are checking the water systems of the affected municipalities to see they have been affected by the chemical explosion.
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