Emergency declared at South Carolina nuclear site after laboratory fire; no contamination reported outside

An emergency has been declared at a massive Department of Energy nuclear site in South Carolina after a fire broke out at a laboratory, officials said.

The fire ignited at the Savannah River National Laboratory at the Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina, around 5:39 p.m.

The incident triggered emergency response activities. According to SRS, crews extinguished the fire roughly two hours after it was reported.

Officials said: 'No contamination has been reported outside the affected facility.'

As a precaution, barricades at site entrances have been closed to incoming traffic, officials said.

Traffic via rail, river and air near the SRS vicinity was also placed under restriction.

Employees in areas affected by the incident who are not involved in emergency response or shutdown operations have been directed to shelter in place as a precaution.

SRS officials are directing response efforts, and relevant state and local government agencies have been notified.

Local residents are advised to monitor local radio and television stations for updates and any instructions from state officials.