Paint Factory Fire in Spain Forces Evacuation of Town

Authorities ordered the residents of a town in central Spain evacuated Saturday as fire destroyed a massive paint factory, local media report.

An earlier shelter-in-place order gave way to the evacuation of more than residents of San Pedro del Arroyo in Avila due to dense smoke rising from the burning factory complex. The residents were temporarily moved to sports centers in nearby towns.

The fire burned through the late afternoon and into the night. Orders to evacuate the residents did not come until 10 p.m.

Although the fire was declared under control at 3 a.m. Sunday, residents were not allowed to return home until 10:30 a.m. The last of the fire was extinguished at 7 p.m.

Fire crews initially concentrated on keeping the flames from spreading to other factories in the town’s industrial park. Video posted recorded the sound of explosion coming from the fire scene.

Aerial photos show flames running through the entire manufacturing complex.