Fire Erupts at Closed Pigments Plant in France

Fire broke out at a former titanium dioxide plant undergoing demolition Thursday afternoon in northern France, La Voix Du Nord reports.

At about 4:30 p.m. a blowtorch was in use cutting apart disused gas treatment piping in the plant’s annex production unit when flames and heavy smoke began to spread. Nearly 40 firefighters from Calais, Marck, Audruicq, Lumbres and Fort-Mardyck responded to the scene.

The plant is not classified as a Seveso site, which under European Union regulations refers to any of 12,000 industrial establishments where dangerous substances are used or stored in large quantities.

Titanium dioxide is a white pigment used in paint, sunscreen and food coloring.

The fire was brought under control within an hour with no injuries reported.