Two in hospital after ‘significant’ fire breaks out at Barrow’s nuclear submarine shipyard
Cumbria police say incident poses no nuclear risk but advise people to stay indoors
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Two people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out early Wednesday morning at the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard of BAE Systems in Cumbria, where the UK’s nuclear-powered submarines are built.
The fire began shortly after midnight, at around 12:45am, in Devonshire Dock Hall, the facility used for constructing the Royal Navy’s Astute-class submarines and for housing the Dreadnought programme, the Cumbria constabulary confirmed.
The two individuals were taken to hospital with suspected smoke inhalation, the constabulary said as it reassured the public the incident did not pose a risk.
“Emergency services are currently in attendance at BAE at a significant fire at the site,” Cumbria police said in a statement on X. “There is no nuclear risk. However, people living nearby are advised to remain indoors and keep doors and windows closed.”
Emergency services quickly responded and police confirmed all other personnel were safe and accounted for.
People living in the area were advised to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed while emergency crews managed the incident.
“We are working with emergency services to deal with a fire at a site in Barrow in Furness. Two colleagues have been taken to hospital having suffered suspected smoke inhalation,” BAE Systems said.
“At this time there are no other casualties and everyone else have been evacuated from the Devonshire Dock Hall and are accounted for. Further updates will be given in due course.”
The Barrow shipyard, located about 350km northwest of London, plays a crucial role in British naval defence. It builds the UK’s fleet of nuclear submarines but it is also where the submarines capable of carrying the UK’s nuclear missiles were constructed.
Additional reporting by agencies
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments