Fire Erupts at BAE Systems Shipyard in UK's Barrow Tasked with Building Nuclear Submarines

A large fire broke out early Wednesday morning at BAE Systems' Submarines site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, where nuclear submarines for the Royal Navy are under construction.

The fire reportedly originated within Devonshire Dock Hall, the primary assembly facility for BAE Systems’ submarine construction.

BAE Systems' Barrow shipyard manufactures the UK's Astute- and Dreadnought-class nuclear submarines. Spanning six acres, it is Europe’s second-largest indoor shipbuilding site. The affected site is equipped for a range of activities, including submarine design, hull fabrication, nuclear reactor installation, and combat systems integration.

The hall has produced the four Vanguard-class submarines for the UK’s Trident program, while four new Dreadnought-class submarines, set to replace the Vanguard class in the 2030s, are under construction. The final Astute-class submarine for the Royal Navy is also being built there.

In addition to ongoing construction of these attack and deterrent submarines, the facility is also expected to play a central role in the upcoming SSN(R) program, aimed at producing next-generation nuclear-powered submarines.

Footage from residents near the area captured thick smoke rising from the facility. They voiced concerns on social media about the blaze, with one witness describing hearing a “loud thump” before the fire ignited.

Residents were urged to stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and avoid the area as emergency teams responded to the blaze.

Cumbria Police assured the public that there was no nuclear risk from the fire, though two individuals were taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation, and several others were evacuated from Devonshire Dock Hall.