A very small fire in a laboratory at Areva NP in Richland was quickly extinguished by a lab worker Monday afternoon.
Bob Link, manager of environmental health, safety and licensing at the plant, characterized the fire's size as "a handful of flames."
Areva believes that some fine shavings of the flammable metal zirconium caught fire. No radiological materials were in the part of the lab where the fire occurred.
The laboratory is used to test metal samples for quality and material characteristics. Metals may be polished, and fine shavings can result.
The Areva emergency management response team assembled and the Richland Fire Department responded, but neither was needed.
Areva produces fuel for nuclear power plants.
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Areva signs contract with Minnesota plant
Areva signs contract with Minnesota plant
Areva has signed an integrated fuel and related services contract with Xcel Energy to supply the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant near Monticello, Minn.
The fuel will be fabricated at the Areva NP plant near Richland. Although new jobs will not be added, the work will help sustain current jobs, said Areva spokesman Michael French.
The approximately $500 million contract covers uranium, conversion, enrichment, fuel design and fabrication, and related engineering services.
Kitchen fire destroys Kennewick mobile home
Kitchen fire destroys Kennewick mobile home
A Kennewick home was destroyed late Sunday by a kitchen fire that started on the stove with cooking oil and appeared to be extinguished, but turned into a roof fire after smoldering in a concealed space in the attic.
Firefighters were called to the mobile home at 2206 N. Nevada Court around 8:30 p.m., when the stove fire started, said Kennewick Fire Marshal Mark Yaden.
The flames spread to the ceiling, but the resident was able to put out the fire before fire crews arrived.
West Richland woman's manner of death unknown
West Richland woman's manner of death unknown
The investigation into the death of a young West Richland mother has been completed, but the manner of her death is not known, officials said.
Benton County Coroner John Hansens issued the final death certificate Wednesday for Sandy St. George, and ruled the 26-year-old died from carbon monoxide intoxication as a result of smoke inhalation.
The manner of death, however, is undetermined.
Fire destroys Richland mobile home
Fire destroys Richland mobile home
A single-wide mobile home in Richland was destroyed in a blistering fire Thursday night.
The resident, who neighbors said was elderly and dependent on oxygen, was taken by ambulance to Kadlec Regional Medical Center to be treated for possible smoke inhalation. His name was not available.
Dispatchers received several calls about the fire at 55 Compton Lane in the Richland Mobile Home Park shortly after 5 p.m.
Few fires found despite smoke-filled Tri-City sky
Few fires found despite smoke-filled Tri-City sky
The Tri-City area may have been choked in smoke Sunday but few fires were found, despite emergency officials fielding numerous calls.
"There was just a ton of false calls last night," said Capt. Devin Helland of Benton Fire District 1.
Lightning strikes from Sunday's thunderstorms started a few grass fires but most of the smoke drifted in from fires in Central Oregon.
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