Two injured after 'significant' fire breaks out at nuclear submarine yard BAE Systems in Barrow

ITV News' Jennifer Buck spoke to workers and witnesses in Barrow about the fire.


The fire service has said it is preparing to scale down its presence at the scene of a fire at BAe in Barrow in Furness.

There was a major response when the "significant" fire broke out at a nuclear submarine yard in Cumbria at about 12:30am on Wednesday, 30 October.

Two people were taken to hospital for treatment.

Smoke blackened walls at BAe in Barrow Credit: ITV Granada

In a statement Cumbria Local Resilience Forum say, "Emergency services remain in attendance at BAE in Barrow following a significant fire at the site in the early hours of this morning (30 October).

"Firefighters at the scene have the fire suppressed and have moved onto dampening down.

"As such, people may soon see fire and rescue vehicles begin to leave the site, although there is likely to remain a presence for the majority of the day.

"A multi-agency investigation is on-going to establish the cause of the fire.

"We are no longer advising the public of the need to close doors and windows, not have car air conditioning on, etc.

"Michaelson Bridge has been reopened.

"The major incident response and related strategic coordination group has now been stood down.

"Police and partner agencies would like to thank the community for their patience and cooperation throughout the incident."

Fire damage on one of the halls Credit: ITV Granada

And a statement from Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board adds, "Please continue to attend appointments as usual.

"Primary Care, including general practice, is open as usual today and people should attend any existing appointments.

Primary Care Services in the area are unaffected."

Cumbria Police say there is “no nuclear risk”, but two people have been taken to hospital for suspected smoke inhalation.

The Devonshire Dock Hall, the site's main building facility, had been evacuated and everyone inside had been accounted for, police added.

Cumbria Police said there was "no nuclear risk". Credit: @dees.gems.memorial

Debbie Holliday, 37, who lives opposite the Devonshire Dock Hall where the fire started, said she was woken by the alarm from the site and could see “lots of smoke”.

She said: “It was quite thick and you could see the fire on the top of the building. I started to get more concerned when I saw flames on the roof.

“We just stayed inside and shut the windows.”

“The children slept through it but I have the front bedroom. I could hear what sounded like fireworks as well as the alarm and could see bright flashes where the fire was.

“It lasted 45 minutes, or maybe more.”

Cumbria Police said: “At this time there are no other casualties and everyone else have been evacuated from the Devonshire Dock Hall and are accounted for.”

The force has now withdrawn advise for people living nearby to “remain indoors" whilst emergency services respond to the incident, but advised residents to keep keep their doors and windows closed.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue added: "Fire crews are currently dealing with an Fire in the vicinity of BAE systems in Barrow, residents in the area are advised to keep windows and doors closed and avoid the area.

"We appreciated your co operation whilst we deal with the incident."

The facility is home to Britain’s Astute-class submarines and Dreadnought programme.

A woman who lives beside the shipyard said she saw thick black smoke billowing from the building.

Donna Butler, 36, said: “My son came and got me and said that the BAE alarms were going off, so we went.

"When I opened the front door, we just saw a lot of black smoke. It was a lot of black smoke, like really thick black smoke, and it was very loud.”

She said a few police cars and emergency service vehicles were at the shipyard and police were asking people to stay in their homes.


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