Fire at nuclear site triggers emergency but poses no public danger

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 03:15 · Archive

A fire at Savannah River Site's National Laboratory triggered an emergency response, but officials found no contamination beyond the site.

A fire at the Savannah River National Laboratory, part of the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site near Aiken, South Carolina, triggered a site area emergency on Wednesday evening. The facility declared the emergency at 5:07 p.m. and terminated it at 9:45 p.m.

According to SRS officials, the fire occurred in a single room and resulted in an unfiltered ground-level radiological release. However, radiological surveys indicated no detectable contamination beyond the site's boundaries. One employee was taken to hospital for minor injuries. Officials stated the incident posed no danger to the public outside the site's borders.

Employees in the laboratory area were instructed to shelter in place behind barricades for approximately 30 minutes as a precaution. SRS officials subsequently allowed people to leave the affected area, though no one was allowed to enter. Site barricades were closed to incoming traffic, and rail, river and air traffic in the vicinity were restricted. A Centerra-SRS spokesperson confirmed that 'at no time was accountable equipment lost.'

Protective actions were lifted and site barricades reopened after the emergency was terminated. Authorities notified state and local government agencies. Employees were instructed to report to work as scheduled on Thursday.

How it is being reported

• SRS ends site area emergency after lab fireSavannah River Site officials have terminated the Site Area Emergency declared Wednesday evening at the site located near Aiken.WISTV · 29 Oct, 02:07
• ‘Radiological release’ triggers emergency response at SRSAn incident at the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site triggered an emergency response Wednesday evening.Live5News · 28 Oct, 23:48

In this story: Savannah River Site · Savannah River National Laboratory · Department of Energy · Aiken

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log