Explosion at French nuclear plant no risk of contamination

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A third nuclear reactor is under construction in Flamanville, France, where an explosion and fire at an existing reactor led to a shutdown Thursday. No injuries were reported, although five people were sickened. Officials said the incident did not occur near the facility's nuclear zone, and that there was no risk of a leak. Photo by Jean Yves Desfoux/EPA

Feb. 9 (UPI) -- French officials said there is no risk of contamination after an explosion and fire struck a French nuclear power plant Thursday morning.

The explosion occurred in one of two reactors at the Flamanville facility, on the Normandy coast near the English Channel. A third adjacent reactor is under construction.

The blast was in a machine room outside the plant's nuclear zone, and there was no risk of contamination, officials said. They insisted it was not a nuclear accident, although the reactor was shut down temporarily. The cause of the explosion remains unknown.

There were no injuries, although five people reported feeling sick and were treated at the site. The incident was declared over in one hour, and officials did not activate an emergency plan designed to protect local residents in the event of a leak.

The facility has been in use since the 1980s.