![The emergencies ministry says [the fire] was most likely caused by rain. It rained heavily the day before, and rainwater could have got inside through holes in the roof, causing a chemical reaction, smoldering and toxic smoke - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16034/29/160342976_0:151:3000:1848_600x0_80_0_0_c8a2b5dc87e3c3cc91282e0fe89c4830.jpg "The emergencies ministry says [the fire] was most likely caused by rain. It rained heavily the day before, and rainwater could have got inside through holes in the roof, causing a chemical reaction, smoldering and toxic smoke")
Several warehouses where almost 1,000 metric tons of Soviet-era toxic substances have been stored, caught fire in the Sumy Region in northern Ukraine, the 1+1 TV channel reported.
The warehouses were built in the 1970s to temporary store toxic chemicals before proper disposal. However, the chemicals have never been removed.
"The emergencies ministry says [the fire] was most likely caused by rain. It rained heavily the day before, and rainwater could have got inside through holes in the roof, causing a chemical reaction, smoldering and toxic smoke," the channel said.
Two nearby villages were affected by the fire. Residents complain of toxic smoke, headaches and eye irritation. Some are already leaving the area, though no evacuation order was issued.
The type of substances which caught fire is unknown, and firefighters fear that water or foam may boost chemical reactions. They limited the supply of oxygen to the building to slow down the reaction.
A special group of radiological and chemical defense was called out to assist in firefighting efforts.
MOSCOW, August 26 (RIA Novosti)
