French nuclear plant fire comes amid industry turmoil

Ars Technica » Scientific Method 2017-02-11

Enlarge / A photo taken on February 9, 2017 shows nuclear reactor number 1 ("Flamanville 1") of the Flamanville nuclear plant after an explosion at the plant in Flamanville, northwestern France.An explosion at the nuclear power plant on France's northwest coast caused minor injuries on February 9, but the authorities said there was no risk of radiation. The blast took place in the engine room at the Flamanville plant, which lies 25 kilometres (15 miles) west of the port of Cherbourg and just across from the Channel Islands. (credit: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/Getty Images)

On Thursday morning the BBC reported that an explosion and a fire occurred in a turbine room at the Flamanville nuclear power plant on the western shore of France, although officials assured the public that there was no risk of nuclear contamination. The fire occurred in a building that housed the turbine that turns steam into electricity, “a few dozen yards from the nuclear reactor, which is isolated by a thick cement wall,” The Wall Street Journal reported.

Plant operators shut down reactor 1 at the two-reactor site (reactor 2 is still online). No one was hurt in the incident, but five workers reported feeling ill and were evaluated for smoke inhalation. According to Le Monde, plant operators ruled out an act of malice and suggested that the explosion and fire were due to overheating, although an official cause has not been determined yet.

According to The Independent, the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) said the fire originated in a fan underneath an alternator.

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