Another major fire broke out just four days after the fire in Barcelona. It began just after 1:20 p.m. today, May 14, at the Plainsur chemical distribution warehouse in the La Red Industrial Estate, located in Alcalá de Guadaíra. The fire triggered several explosions and created a towering column of thick black smoke, visible from across the city of Sevilla and its surrounding towns.

Plainsur is known for storing and distributing hazardous substances, including ethylene, toluene, and solvents. Around 200,000 litres of these highly flammable chemicals are believed to have been on site, fuelling the fire’s intensity and raising fears about the spread of toxic fumes.

Emergency Plan Activated and Evacuations Ordered

In response, the local council activated its Local Emergency Plan, working closely with 112 services and regional authorities. Businesses within the industrial zone were ordered to evacuate their workers, and the public was advised to stay indoors.

Residents within a 3.5-kilometre radius of the fire received a Civil Protection SMS alert urging them to close windows, wear masks, and avoid going outside. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries so far.

🔥Incendio en Alcalá de Guadaira, Sevilla.
Arde una empresa dedicada a los químicos que se usan en las piscinas. pic.twitter.com/sjmvXfjZOL

— TodoXHoy (@TodoLDHoy) May 14, 2025

Possible Symptoms of Exposure to Toxic Fumes

The fire has released a cloud of smoke containing chemicals such as ethylene, toluene, and industrial solvents, all of which can be harmful if inhaled. Short-term exposure to these fumes may cause symptoms like headache, dizziness, nausea, throat irritation, coughing, and shortness of breath. In more serious cases, or with prolonged exposure, there could be a risk of respiratory distress or chemical-related eye and skin irritation. Local authorities continue to urge residents within the affected area to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and wear a mask if outside is unavoidable.

Sale humo de las alcantarillas cercanas al incendio de Sevilla.😳😳 pic.twitter.com/9QOgnemBFC

— Julius Master N♱N (@JuliusMasteroso) May 14, 2025

Traffic Disruption and Warnings in Surrounding Towns

The heavy smoke severely impacted visibility on the A-92 motorway, causing irregular traffic and partial closures between kilometres 3 and 7. Emergency services also advised caution in nearby towns such as Mairena del Alcor, El Viso del Alcor, and Carmona, as wind conditions pushed the smoke northeast. Authorities in these towns have recommended that residents keep windows shut and avoid non-essential travel.

📲 Enviamos mensaje #Es-Alert a los vecinos de #AlcaláDeGuadaíra #Sevilla con #Consejos112 para evitar riesgos con el humo del incendio de nave en P.I. La Red.

📢 Se recomienda cerrar puertas y ventanas, así como uso de mascarillas y ante emergencias marcar el 1-1-2 pic.twitter.com/jyt44ezwTZ

— EMA 112 (@E112Andalucia) May 14, 2025

Blaze Contained in Sevilla, Caution Still Advised

At around 5.30 pm, firefighters had managed to bring the fire under partial control, though the risk of flare-ups remains due to wind changes and the volume of flammable material on site. Investigators will now begin examining how the fire started and whether safety measures were adequate.

This incident has once again highlighted the dangers posed by chemical storage facilities and the importance of strict oversight. As the smoke begins to clear, many will be asking what more can be done to prevent the next industrial fire from threatening lives and communities in Spain.

Main image: X/@juanfer_77