SPAIN – Fire at Cenavisa veterinary laboratory in Reus extinguished

September 17, 2026

A fire at the Cenavisa veterinary pharmaceutical laboratory in Reus, Tarragona, has been brought under control after affecting containers containing chemicals used for veterinary purposes.

The incident took place on Tuesday, September 15, at the company’s facilities on Carrer dels Boters, 4. Emergency services received the alert at 11:07 a.m., prompting the deployment of nine firefighting teams.

All employees were evacuated from the building and no injuries were reported.

Fire breaks out inside laboratory facilities

The fire occurred at Cenavisa’s headquarters and production center in the Mas Ferrer industrial area of Reus. Firefighters initially reported that additive storage tanks had caught fire inside a warehouse.

According to information subsequently reported by local media, the blaze affected the first floor of the three-story laboratory building, where containers holding chemical substances were stored.

A security perimeter was established around the premises by local police while emergency crews worked to extinguish the fire. Smoke could be seen from several areas of Reus, while residents farther away from the site reported a strong smell.

Once the flames had been extinguished, firefighters identified the affected substances as chemicals intended for veterinary use and described them as having low toxicity.

Precautionary measures taken over chemical products

Because chemical substances were involved, emergency crews continued working after the fire had been put out to ventilate the building and secure the affected area.

Firefighters also controlled the water used during the operation to prevent it from entering the sewer system. Local reports said that foam was placed over some of the affected reservoirs as an additional safety measure.

Civil Protection subsequently placed the Tarragona Chemical Sector External Emergency Plan, known as PLASEQTA, on pre-alert following a product leak linked to the incident.

The nearby Sant Bernat Calbó school was also temporarily placed under lockdown as a precaution. The measure was lifted once the emergency situation had been brought under control.

Authorities said during the response that the smoke was not affecting residential areas. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains unknown.

Cenavisa’s operations in Reus

Cenavisa is a veterinary pharmaceutical laboratory founded in Reus in 1965. The company develops, manufactures and markets veterinary medicines and other products for use in a wide range of animal species.

The Reus facility affected by the fire serves as the company’s headquarters and production center. Cenavisa also operates a second production facility in Almassora, Castellón, along with a separate warehouse in the Agro-Reus industrial area.

The company’s products are intended for species including cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, horses, dogs, cats, rabbits and fish. Cenavisa serves both the Spanish and international markets.