A large fire broke out early Wednesday morning at a shipyard owned by BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, north-west England. This shipyard is where the UK builds nuclear submarines, and the fire caused significant concern in the area.
What Happened?
The fire was reported to the Cumbria police at 12:44 a.m. Thankfully, authorities confirmed that there was no nuclear risk from the incident. Emergency services, including the Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service, quickly arrived on the scene to tackle the blaze.
By 8:15 a.m., police provided an update saying that local residents were no longer advised to stay indoors, but they should keep their doors and windows closed to avoid smoke.
Who Was Affected?
Two people were taken to the hospital due to suspected smoke inhalation. One of them was later released, while the other remained in care for further treatment.
BAE Systems Responds
In a statement, BAE Systems expressed that they were working closely with emergency services to manage the situation. The area around the Devonshire Dock Hall, where the submarines are built, was evacuated, and everyone in that section of the facility was accounted for.
Cause of the Fire
As of now, BAE Systems has not provided information about what caused the fire. The UK Ministry of Defence is also collaborating with emergency services and BAE to investigate. Officials have indicated that, at this point, there is no evidence to suggest that the fire was caused by sabotage or terrorism, but they are still looking into the situation.
Background Context
Earlier this month, the head of MI5, the UK’s domestic intelligence agency, warned that Russian military intelligence could be involved in creating chaos on British soil through actions like arson. This news adds an extra layer of concern surrounding the fire, even though no connections have been confirmed.
Photos from the Scene
Images shared on social media showed flames and thick smoke billowing above the shipyard. The sight raised alarm among locals and sparked widespread interest on platforms like Twitter.
The Shipyard’s Importance
The Barrow shipyard is crucial for the UK’s defense. It employs around 10,000 people and is responsible for building nuclear-powered Astute-class submarines. Recently, BAE launched the sixth submarine in this class, named HMS Agamemnon, while the seventh, HMS Agincourt, is currently under construction.
The shipyard is also working on the latest Dreadnought-class submarines, which will carry the UK’s Trident nuclear deterrent. These submarines are expected to replace the older Vanguard class by the early 2030s. BAE Systems has been hiring more workers to meet demands, with plans to increase the workforce to about 17,000 in the coming years.
As the investigation continues, everyone is hopeful that the situation will be resolved without further incidents. The shipyard’s safety and the health of its workers remain top priorities.
