Fire at Seveso warehouse in Moselle forces 30,000 residents to shelter in place

Fire breaks out at chemical warehouse

A fire broke out on Sunday morning at a 500-square-metre warehouse belonging to SAFE (SUEZ Alternative Fuels & Energies) in the industrial zone of Gandrange, Moselle. The site is classified Seveso low-threshold, a designation for facilities storing hazardous materials in quantities below the high-threshold level. A thick black smoke plume became visible from 10 a.m., according to local media, and residents reported hearing a loud detonation around 10:45 a.m. The warehouse sits on the grounds of the former ArcelorMittal steel plant, a landmark of the region's industrial past.

Confinement order for 30,000 people

The prefect of Moselle quickly ordered residents of five communes, Gandrange, Amnéville, Vitry-sur-Orne, Clouange and Rombas, to shelter in place. Approximately 30,000 people were told to "remain confined until further order," the prefecture said in a statement. The instructions were clear: stay indoors, close all doors and windows, and seal any gaps as much as possible. Mayor Quentin Bigot of Gandrange relayed the message on the town's Facebook page, urging residents to comply strictly.

“The situation remains under surveillance and, given in particular the presence of chemical products, the confinement measures must imperatively continue to be respected.”

Firefighter response and chemical risk

The departmental fire service deployed at least 130 firefighters and 75 vehicles to the scene. BFMTV reported that around 50 fire trucks were visible at the site. By midday, Mayor Bigot announced that the fire had been contained, but he stressed that the presence of toxic products made the intervention complex. The prefecture confirmed that chemical substances were stored in the warehouse, though no details on their nature were immediately provided. The Seveso low-threshold classification requires operators to maintain safety protocols, and the incident triggered an emergency response plan. No casualties have been reported.

Industrial context

The SAFE facility is part of the SUEZ group's alternative fuels and energy division. The Gandrange industrial zone has long been associated with heavy industry, most notably the ArcelorMittal steelworks that once dominated the local economy. The site's Seveso status reflects the ongoing presence of hazardous materials, even after the steel plant's closure. The confinement order remained in place into the early afternoon as authorities monitored air quality and worked to fully extinguish the fire.