A significant fire occurred on Friday morning at a scrap metal company in the port of Pasaia (Gipuzkoa). Due to concerns that the smoke might contain toxic components, some residents of Lezo (Gipuzkoa) were confined as a precautionary measure. By midday, firefighters reported the fire was largely under control, and after air quality measurements by Public Health showed normal values, the confinement was lifted.
The fire started around 05:30 AM. Firefighters, assisted by tugboats from the port of Pasaia, worked throughout the afternoon to spread and cool the scrap metal, preventing reignition. The burnt materials included cars and batteries, which generated a large plume of smoke visible in the port's vicinity.
Emergency services issued an SMS alert asking people near the port to shelter in place, close doors and windows, and turn off ventilation. As most of the smoke drifted towards Lezo, the recommendations particularly affected its inhabitants. Access to Pasai Donibane was also closed, with traffic diverted via Jaizkibel.
Following air quality measurements by Public Health indicating normal levels, the precautionary confinement was terminated, allowing citizens to resume their normal activities.
This is not the first fire incident at the port of Pasaia. In 2018, a similar fire in a large scrap pile also caused a notable smoke column. At that time, 21,000 liters of water were needed to extinguish the flames, and air quality monitoring stations recorded PM10 particle concentrations up to three times the permitted daily average at certain points.
The 2018 fire sparked concern and anger among residents, who held demonstrations demanding proper port management and its return to the community.
