Fire At UK Nuclear Submarine Shipyard

A "significant" fire has broken out at the BAE Systems nuclear submarine shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, according to the U.K.'s emergency services.

According to reports two people were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation after the blaze broke out in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday), but they have since been released.

Cumbria Police have been quoted as saying there is "no nuclear risk" from the blaze; emergency services were called to the scene shortly after midnight. Officers said the Devonshire Dock Hall, the site's main building, had been evacuated and no one was missing.

The cause of the blaze is as yet unclear. At the time of writing, the fire appears to have been extinguished, though emergency services personnel remain at the scene. They are likely to remain on site for much of the day, according to media reports.

A BAE Systems spokesperson said: "We are working with emergency services to deal with a fire at our site in Barrow-in-Furness. The area around the Devonshire Dock Hall has been evacuated and everyone has been accounted for.

“Two colleagues were taken to hospital having suffered suspected smoke inhalation and have both since been released. We will provide further updates in due course.”

Stretching across almost 2.5 hectares, the facility is one of the largest indoor shipbuilding complexes in Europe. Craft currently being built at the site include three of the four new Dreadnought Class nuclear submarines.

The Dreadnought, Valiant, and Warspite, all under construction, and the scheduled King George VI, will together comprise the U.K.'s nuclear deterrent in the 2030s, taking over from the existing Vanguard-class vessels.

The last of the Royal Navy's Astute Class nuclear-powered vessels, the Agincourt, is also under construction at the facility.