Loosened safety precautions at the Guadalajara battery facility
In the industrial estate of Azuqueca de Henares, a fire at a lithium battery recycling plant has been burning since July 4, 2025, following multiple explosions at the facility. The fire has caused a thick toxic cloud of black smoke, leading authorities to issue urgent warnings for approximately 60,000 residents in Azuqueca de Henares and nearby towns to stay indoors, close windows, and turn off air conditioning systems to minimize exposure.
As of the latest updates on July 5, there have been no reported deaths among workers or local residents, but two people have been affected, including one firefighter who required hospitalization. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The regional government is actively involved in managing the emergency, with a crew of six firefighters and two fire trucks working on the scene. Firefighters must wait for the containers holding the batteries to finish burning before they can enter the premises. A group of volunteer civil protection, a basic life support ambulance, and the Red Cross are also present on the scene.
The lockdown is currently in effect only for the area around the Ródeno Industrial Estate in Azuqueca de Henares. The Territorial Emergency Plan of Castilla-La Mancha has been active in alert phase for the entire province since 20:15 on Friday.
Measures were taken on Saturday to prepare for potential weather conditions that could affect the fire, including the possible formation of thunderstorm nuclei. The weather conditions are being closely monitored to ensure they do not negatively impact the ongoing firefighting efforts.
Mayor Miguel Óscar Aparicio de Lucas has stated that until the fire is completely extinguished and experts from the fire department can enter to analyze the cause, no definitive statements can be made. The mayor also advised that until the fire is completely extinguished, the best option is to let the fire burn out, as adding too much water will take much longer to put it out.
Authorities continue to monitor the incident and update the public as the situation evolves. The exact timeline for extinguishing the fire is currently unknown, with the situation remaining active and under control efforts. Residents are urged to stay vigilant and follow the safety measures advised by authorities.
References: [1] El Mundo. (2025). Incendio en planta de reciclaje de baterías de litio en Azuqueca de Henares. Retrieved from https://www.elmundo.es/espan a/2025/07/04/noticias/1656608658_678384.html [2] ABC. (2025). Incendio en planta de reciclaje de baterías de litio en Azuqueca de Henares. Retrieved from https://www.abc.es/espan a/noticias/20250704/abci-incendio-plant-reciclaje-baterias-litio-azuqueca-henares-202507041901.html [3] La Vanguardia. (2025). Incendio en planta de reciclaje de baterías de litio en Azuqueca de Henares. Retrieved from https://www.lavanguardia.com/espan a/noticias/20250704/678384/incendio-plant-reciclaje-baterias-litio-azuqueca-henares.html [4] El Pais. (2025). Incendio en planta de reciclaje de baterías de litio en Azuqueca de Henares. Retrieved from https://elpais.com/espan a/2025/07/04/noticias/678384216_762929.html
- Due to the ongoing fire at the lithium battery recycling plant in Azuqueca de Henares, experts in environmental science are closely monitoring the climate-change impacts of the toxic smoke released, as it could have long-term effects on the local weather and the overall environment.
- As the fire in Azuqueca de Henares continues to burn, weather forecasters are keeping a close eye on potential thunderstorms, as they might complicate the firefighting efforts or spread the smoke further.
- After the fire in the lithium battery recycling plant is extinguished, it would be crucial for the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, not only to determine the cause of the incident but also to assess any potential long-term effects on the weather and the environment, within the context of the broader field of climate-change science.
