Investigation begins into nuclear weapons factory fire

A probe is now underway following a fire which broke out in one of the buildings at a nuclear weapons factory in Aldermaston, Berkshire on Tuesday.

Due to the nature of the blaze at the Atomic Weapons Establishment site, which required six appliances to combat it, local residents had to be evacuated from their homes. However, the authorities were quick to reassure the public that the fire was confined to a non-nuclear explosives area.

An AWE spokesperson said:

“At around 9pm on Tuesday 3 August, a fire broke out in a building within the conventional non-nuclear explosives area of AWE Aldermaston.

“AWE’s fire and rescue service were quickly on the scene and were supported by Royal Berkshire fire fighters. One member of AWE staff received minor injuries in the incident and was treated… on the site.

“As a precautionary measure, a 600 metre cordon was set up around the building and a small number of local residents were evacuated overnight from their homes in the Red Lane area.

“A full investigation in the causes of the incident, which has no radiological implications, will be undertaken.”

The Thames Valley Police and the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service are now working together to establish the cause of the fire.