A powerful series of explosions tore through an industrial park in the Ezeiza area south of Buenos Aires late Friday, igniting a massive blaze that sent thick, black smoke into the night sky and prompted provincial authorities to declare a “code red” (alerta roja sanitaria) for surrounding communities. Local officials say dozens of firefighters fought the inferno for hours as emergency services scrambled to treat the injured and warn neighbors about potentially toxic smoke. The Peninsula Newspaper+1

The blast occurred inside the Spegazzini / Carlos Spegazzini industrial zone — a cluster of warehouses and factories located near the Ezeiza–Cañuelas highway and not far from the city’s main international airport. Videos circulating on social platforms show a towering column of fire and a shockwave that shattered windows in nearby neighborhoods; residents described the terror of a sudden boom and confusion in the hours that followed. LA NACION+1

Authorities and first responders
The mayor of Ezeiza described the scene as “huge” and said fire crews were working to control multiple blazes across the industrial complex. Provincial civil-defence officials warned the fire was complex — fed by combustible materials stored in some warehouses — and cautioned that smoke plumes could carry hazardous substances depending on what burned. Firefighters and ambulances remained on site through the night. The Peninsula Newspaper+1

Casualties, evacuations and health advice
Official tallies reported that around 20–24 people were injured, suffering mainly burns, smoke inhalation and other trauma; several were briefly hospitalized and most were later discharged, according to provincial health updates. Local hospitals were placed on alert under the “code red” protocol to prepare for mass casualty care and to advise the public on how to minimize exposure. The Peninsula Newspaper+1

Under that protocol, health authorities urged residents in affected districts to stay indoors with windows and doors closed, switch off ventilation systems that draw air from outside, and avoid outdoor activity while the smoke is visible or smells strongly. The provincial toxicology hotline remains active for anyone experiencing symptoms such as burning eyes, throat irritation, persistent coughing, dizziness or breathing difficulties. LA NACION

Containment and investigation
By morning officials reported the main fires were largely contained but warned hot spots and smoldering material could continue to burn for some time. Investigators have not yet established a definitive cause; early reports say the explosion affected several warehouses and companies within the industrial park, including facilities storing agrochemicals and plastics — materials that can make a blaze more dangerous and harder to fight. Forensic teams and safety regulators are expected to conduct a careful inspection once it’s safe to enter the site. France 24+1

Voices from the neighborhood
Neighbors who felt the shockwave spoke of stunned silence and the sound of shattering glass. One local resident described running outside and seeing the sky lit by inferno; others recounted the surreal mix of fear and the instinct to help — people checking on one another, sharing shelter and calling emergency lines. Those human moments — relief at finding loved ones safe, grief for those hurt, and the small acts of practical kindness — are what linger in the aftermath. LA NACION+1

What people can do now
If you are in or near the affected municipalities, follow official channels for real-time guidance, avoid the area to keep roads open for emergency vehicles, and heed shelter-in-place instructions until authorities declare it safe. If you feel unwell after smoke exposure, seek medical help and identify symptoms to share with clinicians (breathing difficulty, chest pain, severe coughing). For general toxicology guidance in Buenos Aires province, officials listed the provincial toxicology line — consult the local health bulletin for the current number and operating hours. LA NACION

Looking ahead
Explosions and industrial fires raise immediate human costs — the injured, the families shaken awake by a night of terror, the workers who risked their lives fighting the flames — and longer questions about safety, storage and oversight in industrial zones. In the coming days, residents will understandably want clear answers about what started the blaze, whether any hazardous materials were released, and what is being done to prevent future tragedies. Independent investigators and regulators will need to move carefully but urgently, and community leaders will face the task of helping neighbors heal and recover.

If you have family or friends in the area, reach out simply: say you’re thinking of them and check they’re safe. For those farther away, small gestures — a phone call, a donation to a verified local relief fund if one is established, or sharing authoritative safety guidance — matter. In the middle of a shocking night, the steady work of rescue teams and the quiet courage of neighbors are what keep communities standing. The Peninsula Newspaper+1

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Sources: reporting from Agence France-Presse and international outlets; local coverage from La Nación and Clarín with updates from Buenos Aires provincial health and civil-defense briefings. The Peninsula Newspaper+2LA NACION+2