A large fire that broke out this morning at a plastics warehouse in the eastern Croatian town of Osijek spread to a neighboring building where chemicals are stored, spewing toxic smoke that could pose an environmental hazard as strong winds carried it south. , local authorities said.

Authorities urged residents near the outskirts of Osijek, where the fire started, to stay indoors with windows closed as thick clouds of black smoke covered the area.

Three firefighters were injured trying to put out the fire that started after midnight at the Drava.International warehouse and remains out of control.

Schools were closed and there are unconfirmed reports that the smoke is moving towards Bosniaat South.

Ivan Anusic, the governor of the Osijek-Baranja region, accused the owners of the warehouse and the company of negligence and breaking the law.

“Our children can’t go to school, it’s the smoke carcinogenicAnusic told the N1 TV channel. “Caused environmental disaster which will affect the whole region and some neighboring (regions) as well” he added.

This is the fourth fire at Drava company facilities in the last decade.

Some residents, with obvious concern, gathered near the spot where the fire is raging.

“It’s not easy to watch, we live here, 100-200 meters from the factory,” one man, Zeliko, told Reuters. “I think this is an ecological bomb at the entrance to the city,” added the resident, who did not want to give his last name.