A Russian nuclear submarine has caught fire in a shipyard but there were no weapons on board, according to Russian news agencies.
The 155m (508ft) 949 Antei was reportedly being repaired in Zvyozdochka shipyard in Russia’s northern province of Arkhangelsk, when the blaze broke out.
The ship reportedly caught fire as welding works were being carried out, with rubber insulation catching fire.
A shipyard source told the Interfax news agency: “There is a fire on the submarine.
“We are fighting the fire now.”
The emergencies ministry has so far refused to comment.
The United Shipbuilding Corporation, which runs the shipyard, said the submarine’s weapons and critical elements of its nuclear reactor had been taken out before the repairs started.
Spokesman Ilya Zhitomirsky said no one was injured.
A nuclear-powered submarine carrying atomic weapons was engulfed in flames in 2011, nearly leading to a nuclear disaster.
Officials insisted the sub was not armed.
