Huge explosion rocks industrial zone south of Argentina’s capital

• The mayor warns of a “complex” fire that is expected to burn for a long time.
• Five factories were hit, including chemical and plastic factories.
• 15 fire brigades were deployed to fight the intense industrial fire.

Powerful explosions rocked an industrial area and ignited a fire south of Buenos Aires on Friday night, officials said, sending at least 22 people to hospital.

The incident took place inside the Spegazzini industrial park in Ezeiza, where several factories were affected. “The explosions and the fire that broke out in the various factories are huge,” said Gaston Granada, mayor of Ezeiza where the events unfolded. He said the cause of the explosions was unknown.

Television footage showed thick smoke billowing from the industrial area, while dramatic videos on social media captured towering flames and a powerful shock wave sweeping through the area.

The explosion, which was felt across Ezeiza and Canuela, shattered windows in nearby houses and some residents told local media they saw an object fall from the sky moments before the crash.

Hospital director Carlos Santoro said his unit has received 22 wounded. According to local media, five factories were affected by the explosions and fire. The industrial area has companies that manufacture rubber and chemical products, among other products.

Granados said the flames hit several factories in the industrial park. “One of them is a chemical factory, where the warehouses caught fire, and where there are facilities related to agriculture and fertilizers. There is also a plastics factory called Plasticos Lago,” he told local media.

Granados described the scene as chaotic. “It is all very confusing. We are trying to ensure safety in the area and evacuate anyone who may be nearby. Fire crews are working to combat the intense fire burning in all areas,” he said. The mayor confirmed that 15 fire crews responded to the emergency.

“It’s a complex fire. It’s going to be a big fire,” said Fabian Garcia, director of civil defense for the province of Buenos Aires.

Granados also expressed early speculation that a small plane may have been involved, saying officials “can neither confirm nor deny that a plane crashed” until the fire is fully under control.

The owner of Sinteplast, a factory located within the industrial park, clarified that his factory was not the source of the fire, despite initial reports.

“The explosion destroyed everything, gates, roofs, some structures and fire hoses blew up. The fire brigade is on the scene. It was a terrible explosion. It didn’t reach our factory, but the shock wave shook everything,” he told local media.

— With additional input from AFP