A large cloud of steam and a loud bang at a nuclear power station was “no cause for concern”, the site’s operator said.
People in Heysham, near Morecambe, were alarmed and called Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to report the sudden noise at the EDF operated power plant at about 17:00 GMT.
Pictures shared with the showed a white cloud in a mushroom shape hanging above the second of two plants in the area, known as Heysham 2.
EDF said the cloud was comprised of “clean steam” and was caused by a reactor unit “coming offline” unexpectedly.
The fire service confirmed it was called to the site by residents, but a spokesman said its services were not required.
A spokesperson for EDF said: “This steam venting is normal when a reactor comes offline and is no reason for concern.
“Work is underway to establish the cause of the trip and bring the unit back online.”
Heysham 2 went offline over Christmas due to an issue with the high voltage transmission system run by National Grid.
The Lancashire site is the only one in the UK to have two operating nuclear power stations.
Heysham 1 began operating in 1983 and has two advanced gas cooled reactors, scheduled for closure in 2027.
The second plant started generating in 1988 and its two gas cooled reactors are due to close in 2030.
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