A Fire in a Factory Warehouse in Northeastern France Prompted a Shelter-in-place Order for Roughly 30,000 People on 2

French factory fire triggers toxic-release alert for 30,000 residents A fire in a factory warehouse in northeastern France prompted a shelter-in-place order for roughly 30,000 people on 2 August 2026, after the blaze released hazardous substances into the air. The fire broke out in the morning at a storage depot in Gandrange, in the Moselle department. Around 150 firefighters battled the flames, and the blaze was eventually extinguished.

Authorities warned residents of five nearby towns not to leave their homes. Cleanup of the dangerous material is continuing at the site, and residents have now been told they may go outside.