Two treated after fire at BAE nuclear shipyard

Two people were taken to hospital after a "significant fire" broke out at the BAE Systems nuclear submarine shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness.

The blaze at the site, where the UK's nuclear submarines are built, was reported at 00:44 GMT on Wednesday.

Those taken to hospital were thought to be suffering from smoke inhalation and have since been released, BAE confirmed, with everyone "accounted for".

Cumbria Police said there was "no nuclear risk". An investigation into the cause of the fire is under way.

Firefighters said they had supressed the blaze and had moved to dampening it down at about 15:00.

Earlier, police said the Devonshire Dock Hall, the site's main building facility, was evacuated overnight.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) said it was working with BAE and the emergency services following the fire.

Stuart Hook, from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said 15 appliances had been at the scene tackling the blaze and many "tired firefighters" were on their way home.

Drivers in the area were told to close their windows, air vents and sunroofs, as well as to turn off fans and air conditioning units.

David Harris, who lives nearby, said he could see "smoke in the distance" after leaving a local gym in the early hours.

"Given the equipment used within the submarines… I only live a few streets back from where I took the footage so I did feel worried," he told the BBC.

Another resident, Donna Butler, said she saw "a lot of black smoke" which was "really thick".

Jeff Holt said as soon as he stepped outside his home, which is about a mile away from the shipyard, he could "smell the burning and smoke".

Debbie Holliday, 37, who lives opposite Devonshire Dock Hall, said she was woken by the alarm at the site and could see "lots of smoke".

She said her children slept through it but she could "hear what sounded like fireworks as well as the alarm and could see bright flashes where the fire was".

"I started to get more concerned when I saw flames on the roof," she said.

"We just stayed inside and shut the windows".

On Wednesday morning there was a metallic smell of smoke in the air and the doors of the affected building remained open, with smoke damage seen on the facility.

Workers turning up for their shifts were confused as to which parts of the site were accessible and whether they should go in.

BAE told non-essential staff at Devonshire Dock Hall not to go to work on Wednesday morning and to work from home if possible.

All other staff were asked to attend as usual but to check the employee hotline if they need more details.

Roads at nearby Michaelson Bridge have since reopened.

Covering about six acres, the hall is the second-largest indoor shipbuilding complex of its kind in Europe, according to BAE Systems.

The craft built there include the four Vanguard Class submarines that make up the UK's Trident nuclear programme.

Four new nuclear submarines from the Dreadnought Class are currently being built at the site and are due to replace the Vanguards in the early 2030s.

The last of the Royal Navy's seven new nuclear-powered submarines, part of the Astute Class, is also being built at the site.

Shares in the FTSE 100-listed company fell as much as 2% in morning trading on Wednesday.

Additional reporting by PA Media

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