Savannah River Lab fire ends with no contamination found
Firefighters at the South Carolina nuclear research facility extinguished the blaze on Wednesday evening after a two-hour emergency response.
By Victoria Singh ·
Residents near Aiken, South Carolina, experienced brief travel disruptions on Wednesday, October 28, after a fire broke out at the Savannah River National Laboratory. The incident forced federal officials to restrict access to the surrounding area until crews confirmed the site was safe.
The blaze triggered a Site Area Emergency, which is the second-highest alert level used at this Department of Energy facility. In response, site managers blocked incoming traffic and limited movement on nearby air, rail, and river routes. Certain employees received orders to remain in their designated shelters.
Emergency teams put out the flames on Wednesday evening. Following the extinguishment, officials conducted radiological surveys to check for radioactive leaks. The tests found no detectable contamination, leading to the lifting of the emergency declaration and the reopening of site entrances.
The Savannah River Site sits near Aiken and has operated as a nuclear research hub since the Cold War. Originally built to produce plutonium and tritium for the U.S. nuclear weapons program, the complex now handles scientific research, environmental cleanup, and radioactive waste management.
Site leaders have not yet released information on what started the fire. The event marks the latest incident at a facility that continues to play a key role in the nation's nuclear infrastructure.
Source: WCOA
