BizkaiaGipuzkoaArabaVitoria-GasteizLlanada AlavesaRioja AlavesaMontaña AlavesaValles AlavesesCantábrica AlavesaEstribaciones del GorbeaDonostialdeaBidasoaTolosaldeaGoierriUrola KostaDebagoienaDebabarrenaGran BilbaoDurangaldeaLea-ArtibaiBusturialdeaUribe KostaEnkarterriArratia-NerviónMungialdeaBizkaiaGipuzkoaArabaVitoria-GasteizLlanada AlavesaRioja AlavesaMontaña AlavesaValles AlavesesCantábrica AlavesaEstribaciones del GorbeaDonostialdeaBidasoaTolosaldeaGoierriUrola KostaDebagoienaDebabarrenaGran BilbaoDurangaldeaLea-ArtibaiBusturialdeaUribe KostaEnkarterriArratia-NerviónMungialdea
EU|ES|EN

Diario Euskadi

Major Fire at Iurreta Paper Mill Forces N-634 Closure

Paper reels stacked outside the Smurfit Kappa Nervión plant caught fire, creating dense smoke and leading to the closure of the main road.

Smoke plume from the fire at the Iurreta paper mill.
IA

Smoke plume from the fire at the Iurreta paper mill.

A major fire erupted this Friday afternoon at the Smurfit Kappa Nervión paper mill in Iurreta, where paper reels stacked outdoors caught fire, generating dense smoke and necessitating the closure of the N-634 road in both directions.

According to sources from the Bizkaia Fire Department, the fire started after 5:30 PM outside the Smurfit Kappa Nervión plant, which specializes in producing paper for sacks and bags. Several paper reels, stacked in the outdoor area of the facility, began to burn, creating a thick plume of smoke visible from a considerable distance.
A spokesperson for the Foral Council confirmed that there is no risk of the fire spreading, but stated that “extinguishing efforts will be prolonged.” Despite workers being present at the plant when the fire began, no personal injuries have been reported. The blaze also did not affect adjacent homes, although residents had to immediately close their windows due to the extensive smoke.

It was a terrible bonfire, I had never experienced anything like it in my life. I have lived very close to the paper mill for many years and it has shocked me. The firefighters quickly arrived and, fortunately, it has not affected any of the houses near the paper mill.

The large smoke cloud also caused significant inconvenience in nearby Durango, as large quantities of ash expelled by the flames covered balconies and parked cars on the street. Meanwhile, sources from the Department of Security confirmed that the first Ertzaintza patrols to arrive at the paper mill closed the N-634 road in both directions due to the fire's proximity to the highway. Traffic has been diverted through alternative routes. Additionally, the Iurreta toll booth on the A-8 has been opened free of charge in both directions.
Smurfit Kappa Nervión annually produces 160,000 tons of Kraft paper from local pine wood, which is 100% renewable and certified. This paper is used in numerous everyday applications such as construction material sacks, feed, flour, supermarket bags, e-commerce envelopes, and other industrial packaging. The company, which employs over 240 people, operates two paper machines, a biomass cogeneration unit that generates more than 75% of its own consumption, and serves over 300 clients across more than 50 countries. The company is part of the FTSE 100 index and is one of the world's leading providers of paper packaging solutions, with approximately 47,000 employees in around 350 production centers across 36 countries.

Related News