BAE Systems’ nuclear shipyard suffers “significant fire”
The Royal Navy Astute Class submarine. The last of the class is still being built at Barrow. (Picture: Royal Navy/MoD/Crown copyright)
The shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness in the UK is where both Dreadnought and Astute-class nuclear submarines are being built.
BAE Systems’ nuclear shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness has suffered what emergency services called “a significant fire”.
At around 00:44 GMT on 30 October, firefighters and ambulances were called to the shipyard. Two people were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation and later released. No other injuries have been reported.
There was also “no nuclear risk”, according to Cumbria Police. An investigation into the cause of the fire began almost immediately.
Related Articles
Seventh Astute class submarine build underway
The shipyard’s Devonshire Dock Hall, its main building facility, was evacuated overnight. BAE Systems advised “non-essential staff” to work from home in the immediate aftermath of the blaze.
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said that it had taken “15 appliances” to extinguish the fire, indicating a significant burn.
The Barrow-in-Furness shipyard covers around six acres which makes it the second-largest indoor shipbuilding complex of its kind in Europe. The four Vanguard-class submarines that have formed the UK’s Trident nuclear deterrent since the 1990s were built at the yard.
Currently, the site has been building four new nuclear submarines in the Dreadnought class (set to replace the Vanguard submarines in the early 2030s at an initial cost of US$42 billion). The yard has also been building the last of the Royal Navy’s seven new nuclear-powered submarines in the Astute class. Pre-existing delays before the fire had pushed back the launch date of this final boat in the Astute class to 2026. Whether the fire will further stretch that deadline, and in fact whether the fire will have any notable impact on the completion timelines for the yard’s current builds, remains to be seen.
While the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, all but “non-essential” staff have been instructed to return to work.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Dreadnought Class (Successor Programme) (1-4) [UK]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Hanwha wins Australian government approval to increase its stake in Austal]()
Hanwha wins Australian government approval to increase its stake in Austal
The contract would mean the two shipbuilders can collaborate strategically and enhance shipbuilding capabilities in Western Australia.
-
![US Navy seeks new sensors for the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter]()
US Navy seeks new sensors for the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter
The US Navy intends to publish a draft request for proposals in Q2 2026 and conduct an open competition for the supply of new electro-optical and infrared capabilities for the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter.
-
![What new technologies could be involved in UK Atlantic Bastion initiative?]()
What new technologies could be involved in UK Atlantic Bastion initiative?
As new details emerge on the UK Royal Navy’s plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO, three main areas of opportunity for new technology are the focal point.
-
![NATO naval exercises map out future USV requirements but raise questions on acquisition]()
NATO naval exercises map out future USV requirements but raise questions on acquisition
Uncrewed surface vessels have shifted from a desirable capability to a critical one for navies. But should these systems be bought outright, rented as a service or rapidly built using commercial off-the-shelf components?
