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Emergency services tackle fire at BAE Systems' Barrow-in-Furness site

Cumbria Police and other emergency services have attended a fire at BAE Systems' Barrow-in-Furness site, which took hold in the early hours of this morning.

Above: Agamemnon, the latest Royal Navy Astute Class nuclear-powered submarine, was launched at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria earlier this month.
Courtesy BAE Systems

The Cumbria Local Resilience Forum stated that the incident was reported at around 00.44am this morning and the response operation remains ongoing.

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The fire was in the Devonshire Dock Hall - the site's main building facility - with all those inside being evacuated and having been accounted for. Two people were taken to hospital having suffered suspected smoke inhalation, with one of those subsequently released. At this time there are no other reported casualties

The site builds nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Navy and Cumbria Police confirmed there was "no nuclear risk".

Whilst people living nearby are no longer being advised to remain indoors, the message remains to keep doors and windows closed and if you are in a road vehicle and travelling within the vicinity of BAE, close your vehicle's windows, air vents and sunroof, as well as turn off fans and any air conditioning if you have them.

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A road closure was put in place on Michaelson Bridge and people are also asked to avoid the area whilst emergency services continue with their work.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue are likely to have appliances on site for much of today.

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