Fire at Savannah River Lab Prompts Brief Emergency, One Worker Hurt
Officials declared a Site Area Emergency on Wednesday evening after a blaze at the South Carolina facility, which was resolved by 9:45 p.m. with no radioactive release detected.
By Sophie Lawson ·
A fire at the Savannah River National Laboratory triggered a short-lived emergency in South Carolina on Wednesday evening. One employee suffered minor injuries and was transported to a hospital, according to a spokesperson for the US Department of Energy.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze, and subsequent checks found no detectable radioactive contamination. The Department of Energy declared a Site Area Emergency at 5:39 p.m. local time and lifted it at 9:45 p.m. A spokesperson confirmed that no radiological contamination had been reported.
Authorities had temporarily restricted rail, river, and air traffic near the site while the response was underway. They also placed barricades at facility entrances and along Highway 125 as a precaution. State and local officials were notified, and residents were advised to monitor local radio and television for updates.
The Savannah River Site has served as a major component of the US nuclear weapons complex for more than 75 years. Built in the 1950s, the facility originally included five reactors and two chemical separation plants to produce materials like tritium and plutonium-239 for strategic deterrence. It now manages nuclear materials and radioactive waste, with ongoing clean-up operations intended to protect the environment.
The Department of Energy described the site as key national security infrastructure, stating that the safety of workers, the public, and the environment remains a priority. Following the incident, a notification from the Savannah River Site stated there were currently no operational emergencies or scheduled delays.
Workers due to start their shifts were told to report as usual. Other employees were instructed to return to work as scheduled on Thursday, October 29. Staff who had been told to shelter in place were given the all-clear to resume normal duties.
Traffic at the site's entrances returned to normal after the temporary barricades were removed. Highway 125 remained open throughout the event. All protective measures were lifted once the situation was brought under control.
Source: Metro
