A large fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday at a French chemicals factory in the northern city of Rouen, local authorities said, adding that there were no reported victims at this stage.
Around 200 firefighters were currently tackling the blaze at the site, and a security cordon had been put in place.
Besides Rouen, residents of 11 surrounding municipalities were asked to stay home, while schools in the area will remain closed.
Prefect Pierre-André Durand said that while the black smoke, linked to the presence of chemicals, may provoke anxiety, the “first analysis did not reveal any acute toxicity on the main molecules, which is rather reassuring”.
“We have no evidence that there is a risk associated with fumes,” said Interior Minister Christophe Castaner on RTL radio.
The fire at the factory of Lubrizol had started around 02:40 am CEST local time.
The factory, which makes oil additives, is classified as a SEVESO site, i.e. industrial establishments in the European Union where dangerous substances are used or stored in large quantities.
According to media reports, an acrid smell surrounded the site.
