Emergency Declared at South Carolina Nuclear Site After Fire

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environment declared an emergency at a nuclear facility after a fire broke out at an on-site laboratory. The declaration followed reports of smoke and flames detected in the lab area, prompting immediate safety protocols.

The fire was reported on Tuesday morning at the facility located in Aiken County. Emergency crews arrived at the site to extinguish the blaze, which officials confirmed was contained to the laboratory building. No immediate injuries were reported among staff on the premises.

The department stated that air and water quality monitoring began immediately following the fire. Initial readings indicated that radiation levels at the facility boundary remained within normal background ranges. The emergency status remains in effect until further testing confirms the site is stable.

The laboratory involved in the incident handles non-fuel components and radioactive materials used in nuclear research. According to the facility's operational logs, the fire started in an electrical panel within the testing bay. Maintenance workers discovered the smoke at approximately 10:15 a.m. local time.

Local officials in Aiken County have been notified of the emergency declaration. The county emergency management agency is coordinating with state health officials to monitor potential impacts on nearby communities. Residents within a three-mile radius were advised to keep windows closed if they detected an unusual smell, though no evacuation orders were issued.

The facility operator has released a preliminary report stating that the fire did not reach the main reactor vessel or storage casks. Independent inspectors from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are scheduled to arrive on-site by Thursday morning to review the cause of the fire. The site will remain under enhanced monitoring for at least 48 hours.

This incident marks the third emergency declaration at a South Carolina nuclear site in the past five years. Previous events in 2022 and 2024 were also linked to laboratory fires and equipment malfunctions. State regulators have cited improved response times and containment measures as key factors in preventing larger releases during those events.