In connection with a planned test firing of rocket engines that is regularly carried out at the Esrange Space Center in Kiruna during the morning, a fire broke out in the area around the site and surrounding buildings. The rescue service is on site and the extinguishing operation is ongoing. All persons who have been in the immediate area are judged to be safe and no injuries have been reported, but the material damage is judged to be extensive.
The fire started on Thursday morning at 09.30 in the southern part of the base area, which has been used since the 60s to launch probe rockets for research purposes.
No reported injuries
No injuries were reported, but some of the staff will be taken to Kiruna Hospital for inspection.
Material damages
It is clear that the fire caused extensive damage to the older part of the base where rocket launches have been carried out since the 60s. The exact extent is still too early to say, but the new parts of the base are not affected by the fire.
Consequences for day-to-day operations
The full extent of the fire and its consequences for ongoing and planned activities is still too early to comment on. Now the full focus is on dealing with the fire and the situation that has arisen.