Two people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out on Wednesday morning Barrow-in-Furness the shipyard of BAE Systems in Cumbriawhere Britain’s nuclear-powered submarines are built.

The fire started shortly after midnight at around 12.45am in Devonshire Dock Hall, the facility used to build the Royal Navy’s Astute class submarines and house the Dreadnought programme, Cumbria Police confirmed.

The two individuals were taken to hospital with suspected smoke inhalation, police said, while assuring the public that the incident did not pose a risk.

“There is no nuclear risk,” Cumbria Police said in a statement to the X. “However, people living nearby are advised to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed.”

Emergency services responded quickly and police confirmed all other staff were safe and accounted for.

People living in the area were advised to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed while emergency crews dealt with the incident.

“We are working with the emergency services to deal with a fire at a site in Barrow in Furness. Two colleagues were taken to hospital after suspected smoke inhalation,” BAE Systems said.

“At this time there are no other casualties and everyone else has been evacuated from Devonshire Dock Hall and is being accounted for. Further updates will be given in due course.”

Barrow Shipyard, located approximately 350 km north-west of London, plays a crucial role in British naval defence. It builds the UK’s nuclear submarine fleet, but is also where the submarines capable of carrying the UK’s nuclear missiles were built.

Additional reporting by agencies