In the early hours of Friday, January 2, a fire erupted in an air conditioning unit inside an office block at the Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power station construction site. The incident occurred shortly after 3:30 am, prompting a swift emergency response.
Crews from Nether Stowey Fire Station were mobilized following alarms and reports of smoke. Upon arrival, they coordinated with the Hinkley Point C Fire and Rescue Service (HPC FRS), which had already begun tackling the blaze. The fire was quickly extinguished, and crews conducted a thorough search for any remaining fire hazards while using breathing apparatus for safety. The building was then ventilated using positive pressure fans. Responsibility for the site was handed back to HPC FRS and the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) before crews returned to their station.
Hinkley Point C’s twin reactors are poised to become a cornerstone of the UK’s energy landscape, anticipated to supply low-carbon electricity to more than six million homes. EDF Energy, the project’s principal owner, aims to have the first reactor operational by the end of this decade.
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However, the project has faced significant challenges. In 2022, three companies were prosecuted following the death of a worker, Jason Waring, at the site. Additionally, a ‘wildcat strike’ took place in July 2025 due to allegations of bullying by a supervisor, who was subsequently removed pending investigation, resolving the strike. More recently, a fire enforcement notice was served on a contractor at Hinkley Point C after authorities identified serious fire safety deficiencies.