A nuclear reactor at Entergy Corp.'s ETR -0.97% Arkansas One power plant shut itself off on Monday morning after a fire broke out at a nearby electrical switchyard.
The incident involved the plant's Unit 2 reactor. The Unit 1 reactor remained in service, furnishing electricity to the power grid, Entergy said.
There was no radiation release, according to Victor Dricks, a spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Mr. Dricks said an NRC inspector assigned to the site was in the control room, monitoring Entergy's actions.
The fire started in the electrical switchyard after a transformer exploded and ignited, Mr. Dricks said, adding the plant's protective system operated as designed and began the shutdown process for the nuclear reactor.
The blaze started at 7:50 a.m. and was contained by 9:17 a.m., according to Entergy. No plant workers were harmed in the incident. A fire brigade at the plant, located six miles northwest of Russellville, Ark., responded to the alarm and was assisted by firefighters from the nearby town of London, Ark.
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