Fire at Savannah River Site Ends
Emergency protocols lifted after radiological tests found no contamination following a blaze at the nuclear research lab.
By Aiko Brooks ·
A fire at the Savannah River National Laboratory near Aiken, South Carolina, ended on Wednesday evening after crews extinguished the blaze. The incident triggered a Site Area Emergency, the second-highest alert level used at the federal facility.
The U.S. Department of Energy manages the Savannah River Site. According to the Associated Press, officials declared the emergency to manage the situation safely. As a precaution, they blocked incoming traffic to the area. They also restricted nearby air, rail, and river transportation.
Site managers instructed specific employees to shelter in place during the alert. Emergency response teams worked through the day to control the flames. By Wednesday evening, crews had fully extinguished the fire.
Officials conducted radiological surveys before reopening site entrances. These tests found no detectable contamination in the surrounding area. Consequently, authorities lifted the emergency declaration and restored normal access to the complex.
The Savannah River Site was established during the Cold War. It previously produced plutonium and tritium for the United States nuclear weapons program. Today, operations focus on scientific research, environmental cleanup, and radioactive waste management.
Authorities have not announced what caused the fire. The facility remains active while officials continue their standard operations.
