Schools and creches in 13 towns and villages were closed on Thursday as 200 firefighters battled a huge blaze in a chemical factory in the north-western city of Rouen.
Local authorities said that initial analysis did not indicate any “acute toxicity” in the air but people in the Rouen area should stay indoors as much as possible and stay clear of smoke.
The Lubrizol factory produces additives for lubricants and paint and is in the higher risk tier of the European Union’s Seveso system for preventing accidents involving dangerous substances.
The blaze broke out at about 2.0 a.m. (0040 GMT), the local prefecture said. Sirens were sounded to alert residents to listen to the radio for updates.
The prefecture warned people coming into contact with soot from the fire to wash their hands, and to wash all fruit and vegetables before eating them.
Further chemical analysis of the fumes from the fire would be carried out and measures would be taken to prevent any pollution of the Seine river, which flows through Rouen, prefect Pierre-Andre Durand told broadcaster BFMTV.
