Explosion in Ezeiza: the industrial hub caught fire and residents were evacuated

An explosion of enormous magnitude shook the Ezeiza district and part of Cañuelas on Friday night, when an agrochemical plant located in the Spegazzini Industrial Park was engulfed in flames after a blast that was heard several kilometers (several miles) away. The shock wave shattered windows, shook homes, and caused widespread alarm among residents, who quickly began evacuating the area closest to the site.

The magnitude of the blast required the immediate deployment of an emergency operation. At least twenty fire crews are working to contain the fire, cool structures, and prevent the flames from spreading to other warehouses. The situation remains complex, and municipal authorities warned that the work could continue throughout the night.

The mayor of Ezeiza, Gastón Granados, was one of the first officials to arrive at the affected area. He described the situation as "very confusing" and stated that, for now, only people with minor injuries have been reported. He also confirmed that several families from neighboring neighborhoods are being evacuated as a precaution due to the risk posed by the damaged plant and the force of the explosion, which, according to witnesses, made floors and walls vibrate.

Granados also indicated that there is still no reliable information about what caused the blast inside the Sinteplast factory. "We're working to put out the fire and then to see what happened," he explained. The official did not rule out any hypothesis and assured that the absolute priority is to control the fire and ensure the safety of all residents.

Accounts from the area reflect the impact: some residents said the explosion caused the windows in their homes to shatter instantly. Others claimed to have felt a tremor accompanied by a sharp bang and a column of smoke that quickly rose from the industrial complex. Minutes later, the sirens of fire trucks, ambulances, and Civil Defense vehicles began to be heard.

Traffic in the vicinity was cut off, and the police established a wide perimeter to allow containment efforts to proceed. The fire remains active and, until it is brought under control, investigations to determine what happened inside the plant can't begin.

So far, there is no official information about serious victims, although several nearby hospitals have received patients with minor burns and cuts from shattered glass. Emergency agencies are asking the public to stay away from the Spegazzini Industrial Park so as not to hinder operations.

The director of the Federal Emergency Agency, Santiago Hardie, warned that Gendarmería is assisting with traffic so more fire engines can arrive and confirmed the deployment of the Federal Police Special Risk Brigade, as part of the activation of federal protocols in response to a situation that overwhelmed the provincial government's capacity.