Nuclear shipyard fire had 'limited impact'

Smoke was seen coming from the building during the early hours of Wednesday

Initial investigations suggest a fire which broke out at a nuclear submarine shipyard had a "limited impact", BAE Systems has said.

A "significant" blaze at the site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, where the UK's nuclear submarines are being built, was reported early on Wednesday.

Seven people were taken to hospital "as a precautionary measure" and all have been released. Cumbria Police said there was "no nuclear risk".

BAE added the multi-agency response to the fire had "prevented significant damage" to the shipyard and the submarine units inside.

The fire broke out shortly after midnight in Devonshire Dock Hall, the site's main building facility.

BAE said a "full assessment" of the blaze was still under way.

"Work continues on Astute Boat 6, which is currently in the water in the Devonshire Dock, and both the Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS programmes are progressing," a spokesperson said.

Smoke damage could be seen to the outside of the building on Wednesday

Astute Class boats are the largest and most advanced attack submarines that have ever been built for the Royal Navy.

BAE Systems said the site was "fully operational" following the fire.

Defence Minister Maria Eagle, speaking in Parliament, said "at no point was there any nuclear risk from this fire".

She added: "I would like to make a special mention of the emergency services, including those of BAE Systems and Cumbria, whose professionalism and highly effective response safe- guarded the local population and helped put this fire out."

Additional reporting by PA Media