Fire at Nuclear Submarine Shipyard Deemed to Have “Limited Impact”

BAE Systems has stated that initial inquiries indicate a fire that erupted at a nuclear submarine shipyard had a “limited impact.” A “significant” blaze at the facility in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, where the United Kingdom’s nuclear submarines are constructed, was reported early on Wednesday. Seven individuals were transported to the hospital “as a precautionary measure” and have all since been discharged. Cumbria Police confirmed that there was “no nuclear risk.” BAE further noted that the multi-agency response to the fire “prevented significant damage” to both the shipyard and the submarine units housed within. The fire commenced shortly after midnight in Devonshire Dock Hall, which serves as the site’s main building facility. BAE reported that a “full assessment” of the blaze is still under way. A spokesperson confirmed, “Work continues on Astute Boat 6, which is currently in the water in the Devonshire Dock, and both the Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS programmes are progressing.” Astute Class boats are recognized as the largest and most advanced attack submarines ever built for the Royal Navy. BAE Systems declared the site “fully operational” following the incident. Defence Minister Maria Eagle, speaking in Parliament, asserted that “at no point was there any nuclear risk from this fire.” She added: “I would like to make a special mention of the emergency services, including those of BAE Systems and Cumbria, whose professionalism and highly effective response safe- guarded the local population and helped put this fire out.”