Vol. 462 No. 5
41 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fire that broke out at Sellafield, England, on 6 February 1996 and the fact that in view of heavy snow the emergency services were not able to reach the fire; and if he will demand a full investigation into the matter and a closure of the plant. [4951/96]
The Radiological Protection Institute RPII has been informed by British Nuclear Fuels and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority that they are not aware of any fire occurring at the Sellafield site on 6 February last. I understand that some operations were suspended at the Sellafield site on 6 February 1996 because blizzards caused staff extreme difficulties in travelling to and from work.
The RPII is aware that a small fire in a fuel handling cave occurred at the Sellafield plant on 30 January last. It was reported that no person was injured and no part of the plant was damaged by the small fire.
I understand that the Sellafield onsite fire brigade was called to the scene of the fire at the fuel handling cave but due to the small size of the fire and the speedy actions of staff it was not needed. Some radioactivity was discharged via the plant ventilation system but I have been informed that this was well within operating limits. The event was below scale on the International Nuclear Events Scale used by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
