BAE Systems fire Barrow-in-Furness: Huge blaze breaks out at nuclear submarine shipyard

A massive has engulfed BAE Systems , with the blaze being described as "significant" by police.

Images and videos show a dramatic inferno against the night sky at BAE Systems Submarines' HQ in Barrow-in-Furness, . The British defence giant - known for designing, developing, and producing weapons - builds and assembles the nation's nuclear submarines on site.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said, in a statement released on Twitter: "Fire crews are currently dealing with an Fire in the vicinity of BAE systems in Barrow, residents in the area are advised to keep windows and doors closed and avoid the area. We appreciated your co operation whilst we deal with the incident." [sic]

Police say two people have been taken to hospital but there is "no nuclear risk." Fire crews have urged local people to keep windows and doors shut.

Cumbria Police said in a statement: "Emergency services are currently in attendance at BAE at a significant fire at the site. This incident was reported at around 00.44am this morning (30 Oct) and remains on-going.

"There is no nuclear risk. However, people living nearby are advised to remain indoors whilst emergency services respond to the incident and keep doors and windows closed.

"Two people have been taken to hospital having suffered suspected smoke inhalation. At this time there are no other casualties and everyone else have been evacuated from the Devonshire Dock Hall and are accounted for. A road closure is in place on Michaelson Bridge."

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At around 4.30am, Local resident Paul Ayres told the Express that smoke was coming out of DDH.

He said: "Working in nearby hotel, fire appears to be under control now, no visible flames as were apparent earlier. Still a lot of smoke coming out of DDH where subs are constructed. Roads are still closed on Michaelson Road leading to BAE. Police still present on both sides of bridge."

Social media is ablaze with reactions; @jeffbarrow81 tweeted: "So BAE is currently on fire. That's kinda worrying."

Local reports suggest the fire broke out at Devonshire Dock Hall (DDH), the sprawling complex where both Vanguard-class submarines and the cutting-edge Astute-class submarines were crafted. The incident reportedly began around 12.45am.

It is thought to be being used to build a 1.6billion submarine for the Royal Navy - HMS Agincourt, an Astute-class nuclear-powered fleet submarine, is believed to be housed at the site as it is constructed.

Local residents took to social media to claim they had been evacuated.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and BAE have been approached for comment.

Residents are voicing their concerns over the potentially "really bad" implications of the conflagration. With numerous images circulating online, the community's apprehension is palpable given BAE's status as Europe's premier defence contractor serving the Ministry of Defence - any calamity at such a crucial site prompts fears of wide-reaching ramifications.

Residents in the nearby area have raised serious concerns on social media after an incident at a key UK submarine facility. One fearful local voiced on Facebook: "What about the nuclear stuff there? " Another anxiously questioned: "Isn't this actually really bad? ... I just thought nuclear subs."

A third echoed the sentiment, stating simply: "It's terrifying."

The prevailing anxiety has spread amongst community members, especially regarding the welfare of workers at this uniquely vital British site where submarines are reportedly crafted.

An individual recounted feeling the ground shake, noting: "I heard a big thump" near 2.30am. Social media was riddled with apprehension as one person posted on Facebook: "I guess that's what that buzzing noise is I can hear. I thought I was going mad."

Furthering the alarm, someone else announced they had been "Been evacuated a while ago because of the fumes."

Over on Twitter, a tweet captured the urgency of the situation: "Yeah barrow Bae systems is on fire. Some Wednesday night Jesus Christ."

One local man, Moses Brown, who had been sharing news of the fire on Facebook, wrote: "People make things worse then it actually is I can ensure you all will be fine it's nothing to worry about nothing has blown up and nothing will blow up just don't believe anything you seen on Facebook there was no flames on the outside of the DDH building what so ever as you can tell by my photos it was the lighting multiple resources are working to get the smoke or potential fire sorted even Lancaster services were here working on it all we can do now is wait for the statement from BAE themselves." [sic]

News highlights from earlier in January revealed BAE Systems' plans to swell their workforce by 5,000 due to a lucrative £3.95bn ($4.82bn) contract for cutting-edge, nuclear-powered submarine construction, expected to initiate later this decade with the SSN-AUKUS project.