A fire erupted Sunday at a chlorine production plant in Ledenon, southern France, prompting authorities to urge residents within a kilometer to stay indoors and seal windows and doors. Operated by HydraPro, the facility supplies chlorine for swimming pools and is classified as a high-risk “Seveso” site under EU safety rules.
Officials reported a chlorine smell carried north by the wind but said it posed no immediate health risk. Firefighters are tackling the blaze, with a specialized hazardous materials team en route. The site lies about 28 kilometers southwest of Avignon, Reuters reported.
