An emergency was declared Friday evening at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), a Department of Energy installation near Aiken, South Carolina, after a fire erupted in one of its buildings. The blaze was first reported at approximately 5:39 p.m. and burned for roughly two hours before crews were able to fully extinguish it, according to officials at the Savannah River Site (SRS).

Response and safety measures

DOE and SRS officials activated emergency response protocols immediately. Barricades at all site entrances were closed to incoming traffic, and rail, river, and air traffic in the vicinity of the complex were placed under restriction as a precaution. Employees in areas not directly involved in the emergency response were instructed to shelter in place until the situation was fully assessed.

“No contamination has been reported outside the affected facility,” a spokesperson for SRS said. The agency also emphasized that the site remains one of the safest major industrial facilities in the world, noting its long history of protecting workers, the public, and the environment.

Impact on the community

Local residents were advised to monitor local radio and television stations for updates and to follow any instructions issued by state officials. While the fire caused temporary disruptions to transportation routes near the site, there have been no reports of injuries or evacuations beyond the immediate laboratory area.

The Savannah River Site, established in the 1950s, has been a cornerstone of the nation’s strategic deterrence mission for more than 75 years. It originally housed five reactors that produced tritium and plutonium-239 for nuclear weapons, and it continues to manage nuclear materials and radioactive waste. Ongoing cleanup operations aim to protect the surrounding environment, a mission that remains unchanged despite the recent incident.

Looking ahead

State and local government agencies have been notified of the incident and are coordinating with federal officials to ensure a thorough investigation. The DOE plans to release a detailed report on the cause of the fire and any corrective actions that will be taken to prevent future occurrences.

For now, the emergency declaration remains in effect, and the site continues to operate under heightened safety protocols. Residents can expect regular updates as the investigation proceeds.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.