Windscale fire

The Windscale fire was a fire in Britain's first nuclear reactor at Windscale (now Sellafield) on 10 October 1957. The fire spread radioactive fallout over hundreds of miles. Some of the most dangerous contamination was kept secret, and its effects only came to light years later. At the back of the reactor, ruptured fuel cartridges containing uranium are still jammed in the fire damaged core, awaiting safe removal. Official estimates are that about a hundred people died from the contamination. The cleanup cost over a hundred million pounds. The Windscale fire was the first fire in any nuclear facility. "BBC documentary reveals government reckless in drive for nuclear weapons", wsws.org, 29 April 2008

References

Category:1957
Category:1950s in the United Kingdom
Category:20th century in England
Category:Building and structure fires in the United Kingdom

Category:Nuclear accidents