Shipyard fire still under investigation a year on

Police are still investigating the fire that broke out at BAE last October

A fire at a nuclear submarine shipyard is still being investigated by police almost a year on.

It took firefighters about 15 hours to bring the blaze under control at BAE Systems in Barrow, Cumbria, on 30 October last year, which authorities said posed no nuclear risk.

A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "A police-led investigation, which includes officers liaising with a number of parties and organisations, remains ongoing."

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) confirmed the company had now complied with an improvement notice, issued after it emerged that five employees entered an area in the Devonshire Dock Hall facility when the fire was still raging.

The ONR said two of the employees were taken to hospital, though they were discharged and returned to work the same day.

Bruce Archer, ONR's head of propulsion sites regulation, said the regulator had "worked closely" with BAE Systems since issuing the improvement notice.

He added: "We are satisfied that they have complied with the notice to demonstrate they have suitable emergency arrangements in place to protect workers in the event of a fire."

The facility builds, tests and commissions nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Navy.

Cumbria Police said it could not disclose more details about its investigation while inquiries continued.

BAE said the Devonshire Dock Hall was fully operational, with all teams returning to the facility in January.

"We remain fully committed to delivering our submarine programmes for our Royal Navy customer as quickly, safely and efficiently as possible," the spokesman added.