WAYNESBORO, Ga. — A fire caused an alert to be declared at Georgia Power's nuclear power plant, Plant Vogtle on Tuesday.
The alert was declared at noon. According to a spokesperson, the fire was contained and didn't affect any of the operating systems. The emergency alert was ended after 3:15 p.m.
Plant Vogtle is a large nuclear energy generating plant with four unit sectors near Waynesboro. The plant is owned by both Georgia Power and Oglethorpe Power Corp.
Officials with Georgia Power stated that according to the U.S. Nuclear Regulator Commission, an alert is the "second least serious" among the four categories of designated emergencies. A press release from Georgia Power also stated that the original alert did not threaten public safety.
“Our top priority is the safety and health of the public and our employees,” said Plant Vogtle 1&2 Site Vice President John Weissinger in a news release. “We will provide more details as soon as they are available, and we will continue to do so until this situation is safely resolved.”
Georgia Power officials said the fire was related to a transformer outside of the nuclear part of the plant, which was fully extinguished and there was never any danger to the plant or public at any time the fire was going.
Although the alert is one of the "least serious," residents can look at the emergency information brochure here.