In the early hours of October 30, 2024, a major fire occurred at the BAE Systems nuclear submarine shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, northern England. Emergency services have been alerted to the area, and black smoke can be seen pouring out of the facility, causing a lot of alarm among nearby residents. But authorities have since calmed the public by saying that there is no risk of nuclear fallout.
Two people have been taken to hospital due to smoke inhalation. The plant, which builds the advanced Astute-class and Dreadnought-class submarines for the Royal Navy, was evacuated immediately, and everyone who was there has been accounted for. Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service advised residents to keep windows closed as precautions, but the evacuation order has now been lifted.
The fire started in the Devonshire Dock Hall, one of the major buildings at the shipyard, but the cause is still unknown. The incident has caused concern due to the sensitive nature of the operations at the site, but officials, including Cumbria Police, said that there is no immediate threat to public safety.
Operations at the shipyard have been engaged in very complex, and also delicate construction works with high regard for safety measures because these are critical projects. More updates on the situation would be expected as investigations continue over the cause of the fire.
