Fire at South Carolina nuclear lab ends after four hours

The Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina, declared a Site Area Emergency on Wednesday evening after a fire broke out at the Savannah River National Laboratory. The Department of Energy confirmed the emergency status at 5:39 p.m. The incident left one employee with minor injuries who was transported to a hospital for treatment. A Department of Energy spokesperson stated that no radiological contamination was reported during the event.

Officials terminated the emergency at 9:45 p.m. after firefighters extinguished the blaze. Radiological surveys conducted on the site detected no levels of contamination. All protective actions were lifted, and barricades at the site entrances were reopened. Traffic on Highway 125 remained open throughout the incident, while rail, river, and air traffic near the facility were restricted earlier in the day as a precautionary measure.

The Savannah River Site is a major installation in the United States nuclear weapons complex. It has supported the military's strategic deterrence mission for more than 75 years. The facility was constructed in the 1950s, when five reactors were built to produce tritium and plutonium-239 for nuclear weapons. Two chemical separation plants were also built to support these operations. The site manages nuclear materials and radioactive waste, with ongoing cleanup operations designed to protect the surrounding environment.

Site management directed response efforts and notified state and local government agencies of the incident. Local residents were advised to monitor local radio and television stations for updates and instructions from state officials. Oncoming shift workers were instructed to report to work as usual. All other employees were told to return to work as scheduled on Thursday, October 29. Shift workers who had been directed to shelter in place were also allowed to return to their posts.

An updated notification from the Savannah River Site stated that there are currently no operational emergencies or scheduled delays at the facility. The site continues to operate under its standard protocols. The Department of Energy describes the installation as one of the safest major industrial sites in the world. The site's stated goals include ensuring national security while protecting workers, the public, and the environment.