Two people were taken to hospital after a "significant fire" broke out at the BAE Systems nuclear submarine shipyard in Barrow.
Emergency services were called to the site where the UK's nuclear submarines are built at around 00.44 a.m. this morning, October 30.
Police have also advised vehicles travelling in the vicinity of BAE to close their windows, air vents, and sunroof, and turn off fans and air conditioning.
An updated statement from Cumbria police said: "Emergency services remain in attendance at BAE at a significant fire at the site.
A major fire broke out at BAE Systems in Barrow in the early hours of the morning. @DanTaylorJourno is at the scene pic.twitter.com/1YSZUvgTbO
— Tom Murphy (@TomMurphyTM) October 30, 2024
'There is no nuclear risk'
"Whilst people living nearby are no longer being advised to remain indoors, the message remains to keep doors and windows closed.
"If you are in a road vehicle and travelling within the vicinity of BAE, please close your vehicle's windows, air vents, and sunroof and turn off fans. Turn off fans and air conditioning if you have them.
"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 the day today."
In an earlier statement, Cumbria Police also confirmed that two people had been taken to hospital whilst BAE was evacuated.
Breaking : A major fire has broken out in the shipyard where the latest nuclear submarines are being built
— Jerry Hicks (@JerryHicksUnite) October 30, 2024
Police in the county of Cumbria reported the fire at the BAE Systems site in Barrow-in-Furness pic.twitter.com/xtW7WKVoBl#Barrow #BAE
They said: "Two people have been taken to hospital having suffered suspected smoke inhalation.
"At this time there are no other casualties and everyone else have been evacuated from the Devonshire Dock Hall and are accounted for."
A road closure is in place on Michaelson Bridge.
A Barrow-in-Furness resident who lives beside BAE Systems’ shipyard said she saw thick black smoke billowing from the building.
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Donna Butler, 36, told the PA news agency: "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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