Fire at South Carolina nuclear site injures one, no contamination reported

Key facts

• One person was injured in the fire.
• The fire occurred at the Savannah River Site.
• No contamination has been reported.
• A site area emergency was declared.
• Flights were temporarily restricted in the area.

A fire at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina on Wednesday resulted in one employee sustaining minor injuries, according to a US Department of Energy spokesperson. The fire, which occurred at the Savannah River National Laboratory, was extinguished, and officials reported no contamination. The site, built in the early 1950s, previously produced materials for nuclear weapons during the Cold War and now focuses on waste cleanup and nuclear materials management. The incident prompted a site area emergency, leading to temporary flight restrictions and sheltering of employees not involved in emergency operations.