Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Emergency services tackle fire at BAE Systems' Barrow-in-Furness site

Security Defence

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.

Advertisement
ODU RT

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.

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle

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.

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Saab opens UK site to support British Army training

Defence

Saab opens UK site to support British Army training

19 December 2025

Saab UK has opened a new site in South West England dedicated to its Training & Simulation business unit. This expansion strengthens Saab’s ability to deliver advanced training solutions to the British Army.

Patria and Germany sign two contracts within CAVS programme

Defence

Patria and Germany sign two contracts within CAVS programme

19 December 2025

Patria and Germany have concluded two procurement contracts within the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme.

Top Australian and UK universities sign AUKUS innovation pact

Defence

Top Australian and UK universities sign AUKUS innovation pact

18 December 2025

Eight Australian and UK universities have become the founding members of a new Advanced Skills Alliance, to fast-track the skills and research needed to build security, defence and resilience capabilities.

Dstl leads on NATO emerging disruptive tech competition

Defence

Dstl leads on NATO emerging disruptive tech competition

18 December 2025

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is leading a NATO research project called ‘Youth Perspective on Emerging and Disruptive Technologies’.

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle
STS Defence awarded SDA contract for SCHM Phase 2

Defence

STS Defence awarded SDA contract for SCHM Phase 2

18 December 2025

STS Defence has been awarded a contract to further develop and demonstrate software algorithms for the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA), following on from a previous Phase 1 project investigating Sensor Channel Health Monitoring (SCHM).

ESS and Royal Navy win Institute for Collaborative Working’s Chairman’s Award

Defence Events

ESS and Royal Navy win Institute for Collaborative Working’s Chairman’s Award

17 December 2025

Specialist provider of Facilities Management (FM) and foodservice to military establishments across the UK, ESS Defence, together with the Royal Navy, have won this year’s Institute for Collaborative Working Chairman’s Award.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Babcock LB Babcock LB