| Six people have been injured in a fire on a nuclear submarine at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. The fire occurred in a forward compartment of the USS Miami SSN 755 that is primarily used for living areas and command and control spaces. The ship's reactor was not operating at the time and was reportedly not affected. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Firefighters and other emergency personnel are still at the scene, and all "nonessential" personnel have reportedly been evacuated from the ship. The fire was reported at 5:41 pm Wednesday, and was still burning as of 11:30 pm, according to Capt. Bryant Fuller, the shipyard's commander. He reaffirmed that the ship's nuclear reactor "remains in a safe and stable condition, as it has been throughout the event." Fuller said no weapons were on board the ship, and all personnel have been accounted for. While the fire is not out, he said the situation is improving. Steam continues to emanate from the ship due to the fire-fighting efforts. Six people were injured in the blaze, Fuller said, at least four of them firefighters. One firefighter was evacuated due to heat exhaustion, but is conscious and alert. Other firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation. Fuller said firefighters from numerous Seacoast communities, including Portsmouth, Kittery, York and South Berwick, provided mutual aid. An engine and foam truck were also requested from Logan Airport in Boston. State, local and federal authorities have ... |
