A radiological release triggered a site area emergency response at the US Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina, on October 28, after a fire broke out in a room at the Savannah River National Laboratory. Officials said the fire was extinguished and there was no indication of contamination beyond the facility’s boundaries.
According to the Savannah River Site (SRS), the fire was reported at 5:39 pm and resulted in an unfiltered, ground-level radiological release. The incident prompted emergency response measures at the research facility.
Local broadcaster News 12 reported that the incident did not pose a danger to the public outside the extensive SRS site boundary.
Savannah River Site Issues Safety Advisory
In a statement shared on Facebook, SRS confirmed that the fire had been extinguished and said no contamination had been reported outside the affected facility.
As a precaution, authorities closed barricades at site entrances to incoming traffic. Rail, river and air traffic in the vicinity were also restricted while response operations continued.
SRS officials coordinated emergency measures and notified the relevant state and local government agencies. Residents were advised to monitor local television and radio broadcasts for official announcements and any instructions requiring public action.
Employees in areas affected by the incident who were not directly involved in emergency response or shutdown operations were sheltered as a precaution.
What Is the Savannah River Site?
The Savannah River Site is a US Department of Energy complex spanning approximately 310 square miles across Aiken, Barnwell and Allendale counties in South Carolina.
The Savannah River National Laboratory, located within the complex, conducts research involving nuclear materials, environmental remediation and related technologies.
The incident prompted precautionary restrictions and emergency response measures at the facility. Officials reported no evidence of contamination beyond the affected facility at the time of their statements.
