Toxic orange cloud spreads after chemical explosion near Barcelona

People in northeastern Spain have been ordered to stay indoors after a warehouse blast sent a giant orange cloud over a swathe of Catalonia. Firefighters say chemicals delivered to a factory in Igualada city mixed together, causing the explosion. Pictures of the blast show a massive, billowing toxic cloud pumping out of the building. The blast had also set a truck on fire. According to authorities, two people were slightly injured in the incident.

Unfortunately there isn’t much wind in the area so the toxic cloud is taking longer to disperse.

Catalan Interior Ministry’s Ramon Espadelar

Pregnant women, children, the elderly and those with breathing problems were told to remain inside. The towns were temporarily locked down, with roads in and out of the area cordoned off. Fire crews said the chemicals that caused the blast were nitric acid and ferric chloride. Igualada is 40km north west of Barcelona.