Fire aboard Russian nuclear sub in for repairs

SEVERODVINSK, Russia, April 7 (UPI) -- A Russian nuclear submarine caught fire Tuesday during repairs at an Arctic Ocean shipyard.

The submarine, identified as K-266 Oryol, burned as it underwent repairs at the Zvyozdochka shipyard at Severodvinsk in Archangelsk province. Russian media reported the vessel's nuclear reactor was shut down at the time and not in danger, and that no weapons were aboard. The submarine typically carries anti-ship missiles.

The fire was started by welders working on the submarine, a source told Russia's RIA Novosti news agency. No injuries were reported, although there was no information released regarding the status of the security of its nuclear fuel. The United Shipbuilding Co., where the vessel was berthed, confirmed the incident but added no details.

The submarine is in the Oscar II class, which indicates it was one of 11 built in the 1980s and is about 500 feet long. The submarine afire joined Russia's Northern Fleet in 1992. It was brought to the shipyard in 2013 for an overhaul scheduled to last until 2016.

Another submarine of its class was the Kursk, which sank in 2000, killing everyone aboard.