Fire at nuclear facility in the USA: Emergency declared

A fire broke out at the Savannah River complex in the US state of South Carolina, where plutonium and tritium were produced for nuclear weapons in the past. While one employee was slightly injured in the incident, an emergency was declared at the facility.

According to Reuters, the US Department of Energy Spokesperson announced that the fire that broke out at the Savannah River National Laboratory on Wednesday, October 28 was extinguished.

Authorities reported that no radioactive contamination was detected after the fire. It was stated that the injured employee was hospitalized as a precaution.

TRANSPORTATION IS RESTRICTED AROUND THE FACILITY

Following the fire, a "field emergency" was declared at the facility.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed temporary restrictions on flights in the region due to the fire. The facility management also announced that railway, road and river transportation in the surrounding area was limited.

Personnel who were not involved in emergency response and closure efforts were asked to stay in sheltered areas as a security measure.

THE REASON OF THE FIRE IS NOT KNOWN YET

Savannah River facility management has not yet made a statement regarding the cause of the fire.

The complex, built in the early 1950s near Jackson, South Carolina, was used to produce plutonium and tritium for the US nuclear weapons program during the Cold War.

Today, the work of the Savannah River National Laboratory focuses on the cleanup of nuclear waste and the management of nuclear materials.

Authorities emphasized that the fire was under control and no radioactive contamination has been reported so far.