General view of a large fire that broke out during the night at the Lubirzol factory in the northern port city of Rouen, France
An immense mass of black smoke is rising over Normandy as firefighters battle a blaze Thursday at a chemical plant, and authorities closed schools in 11 surrounding towns and asked residents to stay indoors amid fears of pollution to the Seine.
No injuries have been reported and French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on RTL radio that “there is no element that could lead us to believe that the smoke is dangerous.”
Photo: EPA-EFE/ALEXANDRE BIORET
