Chlorinated goods factory blaze in Gard region: perimeter for safety measures lifted
Fire at HydraPro Chlorine Plant in Lédenon, France Continues to Be Contained
A fire at the HydraPro chlorine plant in Lédenon, France, which began on August 10-11, 2025, is still being actively managed by firefighters and hazardous materials teams. The plant, classified as a high-risk "Seveso" site under EU safety rules, produces chlorine products and has been the subject of recent incidents.
Residents within a one-kilometer radius were initially advised to stay indoors with windows and doors sealed due to toxic chlorine fumes, although no immediate health risks or casualties have been reported. The precise cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Looking back at the plant's history, there are no publicly known major prior incidents causing significant operational disruptions. However, its Seveso classification indicates that the plant must adhere to stringent safety protocols, and any past incidents have likely influenced stringent safety and emergency response measures to minimize risks and operational impacts.
The fire is estimated to involve a chlorine stock of 40 to 60 tons. According to Captain Nicolas Narbonne of the Gard Fire and Rescue Service, the situation is improving, and the fire is contained. A total of 88 firefighters were mobilized for the fire in August, including a specialized chemical risk team from the Bouches-du-Rhône.
The Fire and Rescue Service believes the actions taken by the firefighters are effective. They anticipate that the fire will be extinguished in the next few hours. In addition to the August fire, three other communes (Lédenon, Sernhac, Bezouce) were advised to avoid the area during the incident. Four more communes (Saint-Gervasy, Marguerittes, Rodilhan, Bouillargues) were recommended to take shelter in solid buildings, close doors and windows, and remain attentive to the instructions of the authorities.
The HydraPro plant also experienced two related incidents in July 2023, on July 4 and 7. During these incidents, the communes of Manduel, Bellegarde, Meynes, and Joncquières-Saint-Vincent were confined, and residents were advised to stay indoors. However, no injuries were reported during these incidents.
The Fire and Rescue Service has been working diligently to manage the situation and ensure the safety of the public and the environment. The containment perimeter around the plant was lifted on Sunday afternoon, marking a significant step towards resolving the crisis. Air toxicity tests conducted around the plant are not significant, further reassuring the public.
The fire is reported by HCI Gard Lozère (ex-France Bleu). The Gard Prefecture has not yet released any official statements regarding the cause of the fire or the future operations of the HydraPro plant.
[1] https://www.sevesso-directive.eu/ [2] https://www.anses.fr/revue-des-risques/actualites/actualites-du-20-fevrier-2020/le-decret-n-2020-376-du-20-fevrier-2020-relatif-aux-sites-seveso-et-aux-installations-classees-pour-la-protection-de-l-environnement [3] https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCodeArticle.do?idArticle=LEGIARTI000036495238&cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006072520 [4] https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCodeArticle.do?idArticle=LEGIARTI000036495238&cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006072520
[1] The efforts of firefighters and hazardous materials teams to contain the fire at the environmental-science industry plant in Lédenon, France, underscores the importance of adhering to safety protocols in such high-risk facilities to prevent climate-altering accidents.
[2] As the fire at HydraPro continues to be managed, the general-news media remains vigilant in reporting on the fire's progress and the ongoing investigation into its cause, highlighting the need for accountability and transparency in the chemical finance sector.
[3] Meanwhile, scientists and experts in environmental-science have been closely monitoring the air quality around the plant and the surrounding areas to assess any long-term environmental impacts and determine if remediation measures are necessary.
