Industrial waste fire in France prompts shelter-in-place advisory for 30,000

A fire erupted at an industrial waste storage site in Gandrange, northeastern France, on Sunday morning, prompting authorities to advise approximately 30,000 residents to remain indoors. The blaze sent thick smoke plumes visible for up to 15 kilometers, reaching the city of Metz.

Local resident Amandine Vecchio described the smell as "horrible" and said it caused her to develop a headache shortly after leaving a nearby cinema. She instructed her children to stay inside, cover their mouths, and close windows. Clement Deriu, the mayor of nearby Clouange, noted that the smoke was causing headaches and making people feel unwell.

While the fire was brought under control by Sunday afternoon, according to Geraldine Chambeaudie, a spokesperson for the local civil protection service, the cause of the incident is still under investigation. The event occurs amidst a summer of intense wildfires across France, including a significant blaze in the Bordeaux region that was recently contained after scorching vast areas of land.