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Members of the AWE Local Liaison Committee have been given a close-up look at the building at AWE Aldermaston damaged by fire during early August.

The committee – representing 14 local authorities in Berkshire and Hampshire – were taken into the site’s explosives area to inspect the building for themselves.

“We wanted to show local councillors that the building is intact and has suffered minor damage in what was a relatively small fire,” said AWE Chief Executive Officer Robin McGill.

“There have been some inaccurate reports about the scale of the incident and it is important that LLC members are in a position to reassure local people.”

During their latest quarterly meeting the LLC were told that a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the fire is taking place and its findings will be reported to the committee and shared with the public. A separate investigation is being undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr McGill said that the response to the fire, from AWE’s own emergency services and local authority firefighters, had been swift and effective. After ensuring that nobody was at risk, the fire was monitored closely and allowed to burn out.

“We very much regret that the fire occurred. Our top priorities are to operate AWE sites in a safe, secure and clean manner.”

PR29.10

Contacts:
AWE PRESS OFFICE 0118 985 5888
Alan Price on 0118 985 6402, Rachel Whybrow on 0118 985 6414 or Valerie Hincks on 0118 985 6410.