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Two treated after fire at BAE nuclear shipyard | Two treated after fire at BAE nuclear shipyard |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Watch: Plume of smoke as fire breaks out during the early hours of Wednesday | Watch: Plume of smoke as fire breaks out during the early hours of Wednesday |
Two people were taken to hospital after a "significant fire" broke out at the BAE Systems nuclear submarine shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness. | |
The blaze at the site, where the UK's nuclear submarines are built, was reported at 00:44 GMT on Wednesday. | |
Those taken to hospital were thought to be suffering from smoke inhalation and have since been released, BAE confirmed, with everyone "accounted for". | |
Cumbria Police said there was "no nuclear risk". An investigation into the cause of the fire is under way. | Cumbria Police said there was "no nuclear risk". An investigation into the cause of the fire is under way. |
Firefighters said they had supressed the blaze and had moved to dampening it down at about 15:00. | |
Earlier, police said the Devonshire Dock Hall, the site's main building facility, was evacuated overnight. | |
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) said it was working with BAE and the emergency services following the fire. | |
Smoke was seen coming from the building during the early hours | Smoke was seen coming from the building during the early hours |
Stuart Hook, from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said 15 appliances had been at the scene tackling the blaze and many "tired firefighters" were on their way home. | |
Drivers in the area have were told to close their windows, air vents and sunroofs, as well as to turn off fans and air conditioning units. | |
David Harris, who lives nearby, said he could see "smoke in the distance" after leaving a local gym in the early hours. | David Harris, who lives nearby, said he could see "smoke in the distance" after leaving a local gym in the early hours. |
"Given the equipment used within the submarines… I only live a few streets back from where I took the footage so I did feel worried," he told the BBC. | "Given the equipment used within the submarines… I only live a few streets back from where I took the footage so I did feel worried," he told the BBC. |
Another resident, Donna Butler, said she saw "a lot of black smoke" which was "really thick". | Another resident, Donna Butler, said she saw "a lot of black smoke" which was "really thick". |
Jeff Holt said as soon as he stepped outside his home, which is about a mile away from the shipyard, he could "smell the burning and smoke". | Jeff Holt said as soon as he stepped outside his home, which is about a mile away from the shipyard, he could "smell the burning and smoke". |
Drivers in the area were warned to close air vents and turn off their air conditioning | |
Debbie Holliday, 37, who lives opposite Devonshire Dock Hall, said she was woken by the alarm at the site and could see "lots of smoke". | |
She said her children slept through it but she could "hear what sounded like fireworks as well as the alarm and could see bright flashes where the fire was". | She said her children slept through it but she could "hear what sounded like fireworks as well as the alarm and could see bright flashes where the fire was". |
"I started to get more concerned when I saw flames on the roof," she said. | "I started to get more concerned when I saw flames on the roof," she said. |
"We just stayed inside and shut the windows". | "We just stayed inside and shut the windows". |
On Wednesday morning there was a metallic smell of smoke in the air and the doors of the affected building remained open, with smoke damage seen on the facility. | On Wednesday morning there was a metallic smell of smoke in the air and the doors of the affected building remained open, with smoke damage seen on the facility. |
Workers turning up for their shifts were confused as to which parts of the site were accessible and whether they should go in. | Workers turning up for their shifts were confused as to which parts of the site were accessible and whether they should go in. |
BAE told non-essential staff at Devonshire Dock Hall not to go to work on Wednesday morning and to work from home if possible. | |
All other staff were asked to attend as usual but to check the employee hotline if they need more details. | |
Roads at nearby Michaelson Bridge have since reopened. | Roads at nearby Michaelson Bridge have since reopened. |
Smoke damage can be seen at the top of the building | |
Covering about six acres, the hall is the second-largest indoor shipbuilding complex of its kind in Europe, according to BAE Systems. | |
The craft built there include the four Vanguard Class submarines that make up the UK's Trident nuclear programme. | |
Four new nuclear submarines from the Dreadnought Class are currently being built at the site and are due to replace the Vanguards in the early 2030s. | |
The last of the Royal Navy's seven new nuclear-powered submarines, part of the Astute Class, is also being built at the site. | |
Shares in the FTSE 100-listed company fell as much as 2% in morning trading on Wednesday. | Shares in the FTSE 100-listed company fell as much as 2% in morning trading on Wednesday. |
Additional reporting by PA Media | Additional reporting by PA Media |
Follow BBC Cumbria on X, external, Facebook, external, Nextdoor and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC Cumbria on X, external, Facebook, external, Nextdoor and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. |
Get in touch | Get in touch |
Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so get in touch. | Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so get in touch. |