Over 130 firefighters battle chemical warehouse blaze in Moselle
Major fire at hazardous chemical warehouse prompts evacuation order for 30,000 residents.
Event / Disaster
Gandrange Chemical Warehouse Fire
Fire at SAFE company Seveso facility in Gandrange, Moselle storing solvents and paints. Emergency response with 130+ firefighters mobilized. Evacuation of 30,000 residents across five communes due to chemical contamination risk.
2 reported locations
Daily activity
0 articles0 articles
2026-08-14 to 2026-11-11 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 2 Aug, 14:53 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Approximately 30,000 residents ordered to shelter-in-place in Moselle
French prefectural authorities ordered approximately 30,000 residents of Gandrange, Amnéville, Vitry-sur-Orne, Clouange, and Rombas to remain confined indoors as a precaution. Residents were instructed to keep doors and windows closed, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay away from the fire zone due to potentially toxic fumes containing chemical substances.
Fire breaks out in Seveso-classified solvent warehouse in Gandrange, Moselle
A fire began on Sunday, August 2, 2026 in a 500 m² warehouse storing solvents and paints at the SAFE company facility in the Gandrange industrial zone, Moselle. The site is classified as "Seveso seuil bas" (Seveso low threshold), indicating it presents a risk of major industrial accident. An thick black plume of smoke became visible from kilometers away, and detonations were heard by residents.
Emergency services mobilize over 130 firefighters to combat industrial fire
More than 130 firefighters and 75 vehicles were deployed to the scene of the fire, along with specialized hazmat units. By midday, the fire had been contained by emergency responders, though the situation remained under surveillance due to the presence of chemical products at the site.
Chemical products confirmed stored at fire-damaged Seveso facility
The mayor of Gandrange confirmed that hazardous chemical substances are stored at the SAFE facility. The fire involved an entrepôt classified under Seveso regulations, meaning it meets European standards for facilities storing dangerous materials in quantities large enough to present a major accident risk.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives