A fire erupted at the BAE Systems nuclear submarine shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, England, early Wednesday morning, leading to the hospitalization of two workers due to suspected smoke inhalation. The incident occurred around 00:44 GMT in a construction hall dedicated to the assembly of nuclear submarines.
Initial reports indicate that the fire started when welding sparks ignited a plastic sheet used to protect a submarine under construction. Employees at the shipyard quickly responded, extinguishing the flames before they could spread further. Emergency services were called to the scene, where they assessed the situation and treated the two individuals who needed medical attention.
The shipyard is currently involved in constructing the Astute-class submarines, and this incident has raised concerns about safety protocols in place during construction. BAE Systems has protocols that include the presence of fire watchers during hot work activities, such as welding, to prevent such incidents from occurring.
Fortunately, there was no nuclear risk associated with the fire, and officials confirmed that the submarine itself was undamaged. An investigation into the cause of the fire is expected to be conducted to review safety measures and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Sources:- The Engineer, BBC News, CNN, MSN News, Bloomberg,
